women with visible and invisible disabilities
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 … Read more
“I am a 53 year old woman who suffers from PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, panic attacks and insomnia. I also have problems with my eyesight and previously had cancer (my PTSD stems from the cancer and its treatment). I am on ESA ( Support Group) and currently still in receipt of DLA. I am in … 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, … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … Read more
We gathered our experiences of the benefit assessments, to send to the all-party Work and Pensions Select Committee of MPs. They are looking into assessments because so many people who are refused are winning their case at appeal. We say: Assessments for ESA and PIP are set up to deny claimants the disability benefits they need … 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 … Read more
People are told that everyone has to have a face-to-face interview for PIP. This is not true. Official DWP guidance sets out exemption from the interview, where there is enough evidence on paper to establish your daily living needs and mobility needs, and/or where the face-to-face interview is likely to be stressful to you. (The … Read more