Getting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) depends on the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and a points system. The massive UK-wide campaign against the WCA and Atos (the multinational company which used to carry out the WCA) and successful legal challenge against the WCA has had a huge impact. The British Medical Association, representing doctors, and many MPs, voted to scrap the WCA and Atos, and also opposed Maximus taking over from Atos. As of 2014, 73% of people whose claim has been decided get ESA. Most claimants who survive the assessment phase are now put in the Support Group, which … Read more
In the programme, which also features the protests, disabled mums speak about their experiences of claiming Universal Credit. Lorna Dunleavy was made suicidal by the in-built delays and underpayment. Tracey lost her ESA severe disability premium after trying waged work for a time. She was told to make a fresh claim for Universal Credit, despite being advised that she would not lose out if she could not continue waged work. (There are special rules where people going back onto ESA are supposed to have a “linked claim” that goes back to their previous claim.) A … Read more
We have just submitted WinVisible’s evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee of MPs on Universal Credit (UC) and domestic abuse, with input from Women Against Rape and Legal Action for Women. The committee is scrutinising UC overall. They are now looking at how the single monthly payment of UC to the head of household, is a danger to women and children living with violent men; which groups of claimants are more likely to be affected; and how disabled claimants can be protected from financial abuse. We said we are entirely opposed to UC which … Read more
Tues 1 May — legal challenge vs Universal Credit at the High Court about loss of severe disability premiums Joint vigil at 9.30am outside the High Court, Strand, London WC2A 2LL — please come and support if you can. Some people are then going in to attend the court case. The case is set to run until Friday 4 May, usually 10.30am-5pm (may finish earlier on Friday). Court 47, check court number here. Mr TP, a terminally ill man who lives alone, has been denied the severe and enhanced disability premiums after he moved to … Read more
In February, the all-party Work and Pensions Committee of MPs issued two scathing reports on the PIP and ESA assessments done by Atos, Capita and Maximus — on claimant experiences, and recommendations on the system. The MPs are awaiting the government’s response. They got nearly 4,000 submissions, mainly from claimants, who continue to have a big impact. The media keep referring to it — now publicising that most claimants who appeal, win their benefits – hooray! The 60% success rate of appeals was one reason why the Work and Pensions Committee looked at assessments. Although … Read more
UPDATE and legal info: In a great start (for us) to Esther McVey’s appointment as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, she has had to concede the PIP legal challenge. As of 20 Jan 2018, the government dropped the discriminatory rules which stop claimants with mental distress from scoring full points for mobility needs, compared to claimants who are physically disabled. McVey announced a review of PIP claims where up to 220,000 claimants could benefit – more than the 164,000 estimated by Mind. In a sometimes laughable statement (below), she said: “Although I and … Read more
The Work and Pensions Committee of MPs has secured a commitment from the government to stop rubber-stamping benefit refusals at the first stage (mandatory reconsideration). This is a result of the 4,000+ testimonies to the inquiry into the ESA and PIP tests, mainly from disabled claimants, about this injustice, and evidence from the DWP union PCS saying: “Our members have continually reported that there is pressure to turn out numbers, both in relation to original decisions and Mandatory Reconsiderations. This means that original decisions can be rushed. There is then a similar emphasis on the number of … Read more
RF commented: ‘This judgment is important for a community of people with mental health problems fighting for their lives against discrimination.’ Public Law Project press release: High Court finds 2017 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Regulations unlawful The High Court has found that part of the rules governing Personal Independence Payments are unlawfully discriminatory against people with mental health impairments. The Public Law Project’s client, RF, won on all three grounds of her challenge (RF v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions). The judge quashed the 2017 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Regulations because they discriminate against those with … Read more
Tues 12 December 2017 1pm – 2pm Vigil outside the High Court Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL Facebook event Jointly called by: Disabled People Against Cuts, Mental Health Resistance Network, WinVisible (women with visible & invisible disabilities) We are supporting a legal challenge by a woman with mental distress against the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rules. The government is discriminating against people with serious mental health conditions who are unable to plan or undertake a journey because of overwhelming psychological distress. A recent change means you can’t score enough points to get full mobility … Read more
Discover more from WinVisible
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.