‘DWP’s PIP changes may mean I have to stop working’

A woman who relies on PIP payments so she can afford to travel to work fears proposed changes to benefits will limit her independence.

Ministers are considering major changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP). These include ending regular cash payments and instead offering one-off grants to claimants for things like home modifications.

Sally McTiffin, from Stonehouse, who uses a wheelchair, said she would not be able to go to work or live in her own home without the benefits. She added that she would “not be able” to do her work or go shopping.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the current disability benefits system is not working in the way it was intended and reforms are needed to ensure it “supports those who really need it most”.

Ms McTiffin’s health problems began in 2010 when a back operation ‘went wrong’ and caused an infection to ‘eat away’ at her spine.

The 52-year-old’s ankle collapsed months later and she now requires a wheelchair full-time.

Part of her PIP money is spent on her specially adapted car, which she uses to travel to work.

“Without the PIP I wouldn’t be able to go to work, I wouldn’t be able to do my job, I wouldn’t be able to go shopping – everything has its consequences.”

Community Response Lead Jo Cole works at the G11 Community Hub helping people complete PIP forms.

She says about 40% of people are rejected when they first apply, and 70% are approved on appeal.

But she says the process is long and “mentally exhausting,” meaning many people don’t appeal.

“PIP is not easy to get and I think the government has this misconception that anyone who feels a bit upset and is at home one day a week is now entitled to PIP – that’s not it at all,” Ms Cole said.

“PIP is difficult, it can take six months for a claim to be resolved. I don’t think people in government know what real people are going through.”

The government has launched a consultation on proposals to switch from a system of fixed benefits to tailor-made support.

Ministers said this is necessary because more than 2.6 million working-age people are now receiving PIP – with monthly new claims almost doubling since 2019.

Government spending on PIP – a benefit to both those who work and those who don’t – is expected to grow by 52% between 2023 and 2024 to £32.8 billion in 2027 and 2028, driven in part by a rise in the number of people with psychological problems. -health conditions.

Mr Sunak continued: “It is part of our plan to make the benefits system fairer for taxpayers, better targeted to individual needs and harder to exploit by those who try to game the system.

“We invite views from across society to ensure everyone has the opportunity to have their voice heard and shape our welfare reforms.”

Under the proposals, PIP claimants will no longer be able to require a formal diagnosis from a medical expert. It is claimed this will make it “easier and faster” for people with serious or terminal conditions to receive support.

The plans are subject to a twelve-week consultation period, ending on July 23.