Government plans to squeeze 'PIP's from half a million disabled people

19 January 2012

On Tuesday, Peers voted to go forward with government plans to reform working age Disability Living Allowance (DLA). The government reforms mean DLA will be replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Under PIP working age people with Parkinson's currently on DLA will be reassessed for PIP and then routinely re-apply for these payments. Similar to Employment and Support Allowance, PIP will depend on the number of points someone scores during face to face assessments.

This reform programme (PDF file) comes with a staggering price tag of £675million by 2016. The Government also revealed this week that under its proposed rules for PIP half a million disabled people could lose out.

Due to the fluctuating nature of Parkinson's, we have real concerns about how people will be judged if they are having a 'good day' at the face to face assessment.

Give your feedback

However, the Government still has to ask the public what they think of the new rules for PIP.

Submit your views on the consultation on the PIP criteria 

The Government at last agreed that DLA, and its replacement, PIP, will remain available for people in care homes to meet mobility costs.

People whose disability costs can be sudden, such as after a stroke, had been faced with waiting longer to qualify under the plans for PIP. But now their qualifying period will remain at 3 months as it is for DLA.

We will continue to fight these reforms

Steve Ford, our chief executive, comments:

"The introduction of PIP is as ridiculous as it is costly. The underlying motive is to make savings off the backs of disabled people, something the Government had pledged not to do.

"The Government has been painting a picture that DLA is easy to get and that people are never assessed again, both of which are patently untrue.

"We know from our information and support workers that it takes a lot of time and effort to help people access this vital support.

"We will continue to fight these reforms so that people affected by Parkinson's get the help and support they deserve and are not unfairly portrayed as scroungers."

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