DISABILITY BENEFITS
‘They made me feel like a liar, a charlatan and a pathetic human.’ Government accused of disability benefits crackdown
The Department for Work and Pensions is rejecting a large number of appeals for the disability benefit personal independent payment, known as PIP, as revealed recently in The Big Issue. PIP benefits are for working-age adults with a physical or mental health condition who need additional support.
As claimants reapply for their payments, many are being rejected and being redirected to make an appeal, called a mandatory reconsideration. However, recent figures for England and Wales show the DWP is rejecting 89% of appeals relating to initial applications.
Sarah was among dozens who contacted us whose PIP application and MR appeals were rejected. She eventually gave up on her tribunal appeal.
“I withdrew because the stress was breaking me,” she told The Big Issue. “They made me feel like a liar and a charlatan and a pathetic human for even asking for PIP.”
Many of our readers are in a similar boat. Here’s what they told us.
I was refused PIP after suffering a stroke which caused me mobility problems. They made up their own answers to their questions and kept interrupting me. Now I’m waiting for a tribunal date. The DWP has no interest in helping people. The first phone call was a man who laughed at me. I will not let anyone treat me like I’m from another planet.
Jane Busuttill
I have fybromaliga and long Covid,
