Write a commentUnder the move from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), people with Parkinson’s are being forced through a broken assessment process that fails to understand their condition.
Parkinson’s UK Northern Ireland Campaigns officer, Caroline McEvoy describes how people living with the condition are going through stressful assessments only to be turned down and then being successful at an appeal.
“The flawed assessment process and mixed knowledge of assessors is leading to wrong outcomes for people and leading many to appeal. Parkinson’s is a complex, progressive, neurological condition with no cure and symptoms that fluctuate daily.
“We know people in Northern Ireland are going for assessments, being turned down for PIP and many are successful on appeal.
Wilma Johnston was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014 at the age of 53.
“My main symptoms were a stumbling walk and slowness.
I started back to work on a phased return in January 2015 and continued on restricted duties until June of that year.
At a meeting with my employer in July, it was agreed that I should apply to retire on the grounds of ill-health.”
Wilma officially retired in November 2015.
“I needed to use a walking stick and my fine motor skills deteriorated so that I found it difficult to dress myself, to prepare food, lift pots, wash my hair, pack my shopping bag, lift my purse out of my bag and then get money out of my purse.
I eventually realised that I needed help and applied for PIP.
On the day of my interview for PIP I answered the questions using the information contained in my application form.
I was then asked to complete some simple exercises but was told I could hold on to the table to help with my balance.
“I was turned down – my score was 0 points.”
Wilma felt humiliated and embarrassed and asked for clarification on her score.
“On reading the report, I felt the decision was based solely on how I presented on the day of the interview as no reference was made to the information on my application form.
“There was also no mention of the fact that I held on to the table while carrying out the required exercises.”
It took Wilma some time to come to terms with the decision to appeal.
“Although I was unhappy about having to go through the process again I knew that in principle it was the right thing to do as I have a degenerative condition.
“I was surprised to receive a letter a few weeks later confirming that I had been awarded both the daily living and mobility parts of the payment.”
Parkinson’s UK is calling on the UK Government to automatically move people with Parkinson’s on the highest rate of DLA to PIP, without the need for reassessment.
More than a third of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants in Northern Ireland have had their benefit stopped after being reassessed for the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP). That is almost double the disallowance rate in Great Britain which stands at 19%.
“Millions of pounds are being wasted on reassessing people with Parkinson’s across the UK including in Northern Ireland for a benefit even though they will not get better,” said Caroline McEvoy.
“This is not only a massive waste of money, but it is having a devastating effect on people living with the condition as many are losing support they had for years.
“It is nonsensical that people living with an incurable, progressive condition should lose support they were previously told they would have for life.
The charity has launched a petition calling on the UK Government to “Get a Grip on PIP” and has asked people affected by Parkinson’s in Northern Ireland to help support the petition as actions in Westminster could affect future decisions on PIP in NI.
“We want to encourage people affected by Parkinson’s in Northern Ireland to sign our petition to have their voices heard and support other people across the UK who are living with the condition,” said Caroline.
You can sign the petition at e-activist.com
