Response to Mark Harper’s evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee on delays to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Rosanna Singler, Co-Chair of the Disability Benefits Consortium, a national coalition of over 50 different charities, said:
“News that waiting times have dropped by a few weeks is welcome but it’s a reduction in just one part of a multi-step process. It will be cold comfort to the many disabled people facing delays of six months or more to receive this essential support.
“Many of those left waiting for such long periods are left in financial turmoil, isolated and unable to access the support they need, like a specialised wheelchair or transport to hospital appointments. Disabled people deserve support to meet these costs while they wait.
“Receiving this payment gives access to other benefits so disabled people are also losing out on additional support such as housing costs and bus passes. Although PIP is backdated, some of these other benefits are not, so people lose out even further while they wait.”
Ends
Notes
- Disabled people need extra financial support for the extra costs associated with their impairment or condition. Disabled people spend £550 a month on costs directly associated with their condition or impairment on average and one in 10 spend over £1,000. (E. Brawn, Priced Out: Ending the financial penalty of disability by 2020.)
- Waiting time figures have been released – they can be accessed here.
Disability Benefits Consortium 