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
Read our leaflets with guidance for professionals on the rules you can quote in letters and reports, for your patient or client to be exempted from the face-to-face exams: ESA or Universal Credit — read or download and print here Based on the regulations built into ESA/Universal Credit on “substantial risk to health” — mental or physical. PIP Personal Independence Payment — read or download and print here Based on the latest September 2019 PIP guidance to assessors issued by the DWP on exemption where: “there is strong evidence on which to advise on the case and … Read more
Update September 2022 — this ruling has been overturned. Read more here Previous info: We want to publicise the precedent legal case of a homeless disabled woman we helped, who won the right to housing in 2016, as we’ve heard of women in similar situations where the Council is refusing to provide accommodation. During the time we supported her, she was often suicidal, but won in the end. (Note: the case was won on her personal circumstances, each situation is different, so anyone wishing to rely on this will need to get experienced legal advice.) … Read more
The government has announced that Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants in the Support Group, and Universal Credit claimants with limited capability for work and work-related activity (equivalent of ESA) attending a Work Capability Assessment from 29 September 2017, will no longer need to be reassessed if it finds that they: have a severe, lifelong disability, illness or health condition are unlikely to ever be able to move into work more info The DWP has not published detailed information on who is covered but Disability Rights UK has published the internal guidance on their website. And, … Read more
News from Mike, Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty: Single mothers hit by the Benefits Cap, and their supporters, once more descended on Edinburgh Council on 3rd October. [Photo shows a previous protest in May 2017.] Demonstrators protested outside the City Chambers on the Royal Mile and then all moved into the public gallery to support the deputation addressing the Council committee meeting. “Scrap the Benefits Cap” and “Stop the Evictions” demand the campaigners. The Westminster government’s benefits cap is drastically cutting the Housing Benefit paid to many families, especially – but not only – lone parents. … Read more
Mental Wealth Alliance — action against Royal College of Occupational Therapists links with Capita and PIP assessments. Sound system and open mic, placards. Thur 27 July – meet at Borough Tube at 9.45am – finish after lunch Where: Royal College of Occupational Therapists, 106 – 114 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LB The recent conference of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) was sponsored by Capita. Their magazine has also been running adverts for PIP assessors – (an OT with 2 years post qualifying experience can earn £23.5k pa – Capita is able to … Read more
14- 21 July Disabled People Against Cuts Week of Action #SummerofDiscontent #NotOneMoreDay #CutsKill Tuesday 18th July – national Day of Action – check DPAC website for more info. Our local action Tuesday 18th July 1-2pm Protest vs benefit cuts & sanctions No Camden cuts to social care Kentish Town Jobcentre 178 Kentish Town Rd London NW5 2AG with WinVisible, Unite Community Camden, Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group, Single Mothers’ Self-Defence, Camden Momentum, English Collective of Prostitutes, All African Women’s Group, and others Wednesday 19th July – Lobby of Parliament for … Read more