Posted on 2015-09-30 | 01:13

The switch from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is billed by the Government as a way to “focus support on those with greatest needs”, is little more than an excuse to grab back financial support from disabled people.

People with an illness or disability are currently able to claim DLA to help them cover the extra costs associated with their health condition, such as specialised transport. However, the Government is now transferring all existing DLA claimants to PIP, with the claim that this is a way to focus resources on those who most need them.

However, it is not the case that PIP will simply refocus the DLA budget. The Government’s own impact assessment for this change sets out that the switch will cut the total spend for this benefit by £2,240 million, or 20% of working age DLA expenditure. While it might be the case that some people with severe disabilities may receive slightly more, this will be outweighed by the huge number of disabled people who either receive less on PIP than they did on DLA, or who now receive nothing at all despite still having the same costs associated with their health condition.

Roger commented: “Once again, DWP shows its utter viciousness towards disabled people. Cutting a fifth of the DLA budget will cause huge financial hardship and suffering to people with serious health and mobility problems, inclding my constituents. This is not a “refocussing” or a better way of targeting support—it is a cut.

“I have said this many times, but will say it again: disabled people did not cause the deficit. A decent, civilised society accepts that it has a duty of care towards those with serious health problems, and does not attempt to make them shoulder the burden of paying for a debt which they did not cause. It is utterly disgraceful that the Government are once again attacking the most vulnerable in society. If they want to raise revenue, I suggest taking action on corporate tax avoidance, not making disabled people’s lives more difficult.”

The switch of DLA claimants on to PIP is due to begin in Birmingham in October. Roger advises constituents who are told that they will receive a lower rate of PIP than their previous DLA entitlement to challenge DWP’s decision if they feel that it is unfair or inaccurate, and if necessary to go through the mandatory reconsideration and appeal process. Constituents who need help or support with this are welcome to get in touch with Roger by email to [email protected] or by phone to 0207 219 5191.