PIP u-turn is Tories’ chance to tell us how many people have died because of their murderous policies
Judge Death: Esther McVey’s Department for Work and Pensions will evaluate the PIP entitlement of people who have died since claiming – including some whose claims were refused altogether [Image: PA].
It’s amazing that the Department is preparing to spend £3.7 billion putting right the wrong that the government deliberately inflicted on these people – even though it took a court ruling to make it happen.
But I have a question:
If the government is starting with claimants who have died – or had their benefits denied entirely, will the DWP take this opportunity to find out how many PIP claimants have died after being told they did not deserve the benefit?
Long-term readers will know it took me two years to get an answer from the DWP on the number of people claiming the other benefit for people with long-term illnesses or disabilities – variously IB, SDA and ESA.
That answer was miserably inadequate because the DWP does not monitor what happens to people who have been refused benefits.
They are simply left to fend for themselves – and This Site has run article after article detailing how many of them have died as a result.
Now, the DWP has to find out what has happened to everybody who has claimed PIP over the period since it decided to restrict payments. That means civil servants will know how many people have died and what proportion of all claimants they represent.
I want those numbers published for everybody to see.
We need to know how many people are dying because of Conservative government policy.
The DWP said no one will have to endure a fresh face-to-face disability assessment.
Instead case managers will review people’s claims using existing information, and bump up their benefits if appropriate.
Case managers will contact claimants or their GPs if they need to find out more.
Priority will be given to claimants who have since died, and those who had their benefits denied entirely.
Officials will then move on to those who were paid PIP but got less than they deserved.
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“Peter” Have you heard the saying “Dont contact us we will contact you” how many claimants will get any contact from the DWP. Therefore, we need to request how many clients are entitled to the back dated money, dont wait for the DWP to tell you its all done without any evedence of clients been contacted.
Could this be a good will gesture with upcoming local elections
Instead case managers will review people’s claims using existing information, and REDUCE their benefits if appropriate. Cynical arnt I.
Apparently that’s not going to happen.
There is far more to it than that people who previously got I B were denied any chance of getting pip
Too late for my lovely friend who died aged 47 in March 2017 who had such severe diabetic complications, including severe nerve damage in her legs, had to use 2 crutches to swing her legs about in order to move VERY short distances, and who relied totally on cabs to get anywhere. Got her PIP result 3 weeks’ after her death – standard f*cking mobility rate. Not even enough to get out once per week (return fare). She went to her death worrying about her PIP result (her last email to me said it was making her ‘loopy with worry’, she was having dizzy spells and falling over in her own home…turned out she had undiagnosed (long story, should have been picked up twice at hospital visits in the days leading up to her death) pneumonia. Worry/stress = more impaired immunity on top of her already impaired immunity. She died. RIP Emma <3
The decision to review all cases had caused alarm among the PIP base; we see yet another opportunity to be denied benefits. The DWP are not trusted, and the decision to review all 1.6 million claims will undoubtedly have some unpleasant side effects.
While to opportunity to gain extra data on the appalling Human Rights situation is welcomed, the simple fact we are all being put through a desk-based review before our existing review date just fills us all with dread.
were told that the DWP has to find out what has happened to everybody who has claimed PIP over the period since it decided to restrict payments
I’ve told them all the welfare reform deaths that I’m aware of are over in the facebook page remember the dead
https://www.facebook.com/ribbonsforwelfare?hc_location=stream