The Department for Work and Pensions have announced that all 1.6 million people receiving Personal Independence Payments will have their claims reviewed. The decision comes following the recent news that the DWP would not be challenging a court ruling, which had said that recent changes to the PIP system were unfair to those suffering with invisible disabilities, such as mental health conditions. An estimated 220,000 people are expected to receive more money as a result.
Changes to the scheme, which occurred last year, saw the support that could be received by those who suffer from mental health conditions reduced. This meant that those who were unable to do basic things, such as travel, as a result of a psychological condition, become ineligible for the enhanced mobility rate of PIP.
Despite criticism at the time, the government went ahead with their proposed changes to the PIP scheme. These changes lasted only one year as in December 2017 a High Court judge ruled that, for those impacted, the changes were a breach of their human rights and they “blatantly discriminate” against those with psychiatric problems.
Described as a “complex exercise and of considerable scale” by the Minister of Disabled People, it is believed that the review could cost as much as £3.7bn by the year 2023. She added that “whilst we will be working at pace to complete this exercise it is important to get it right.”
This is excellent news for those who had previously had their PIP reduced, or lost it all together, something which we have been seeing first hand here, over the last year.
How have these changes affected your PIP? What do you think of the way this situation has been dealt with? Leave a comment for us. If you need any information about Wheelfreedom call us on 0800 0258 005, or contact us via our Facebook page, or on Twitter @Wheelfreedom.
