The Department for Work and Pensions released some figures about the percentage of PIP claimants with mental health conditions entitled to the enhanced mobility rate.
During the PIP debate yesterday in the House of Lords, Baroness Thomas of Winchester stated: The department said that of those with mental health conditions receiving the mobility component of DLA, only 9% had been entitled to the higher rate, whereas 27% of PIP claimants receive the enhanced mobility rate—or 28%, according to the Minister’s letter this morning https://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2017-03-27a.430.8&s=DWP#g441.0
Using DWP Stat-Explore tool, it is easy to see how this percentage was reached. DWP took the total number of PIP claimants with mental health conditions, (377,398), and the total number of PIP claimants entitled to the enhanced mobility rate (100,159) and calculated the percentage of claimants entitled to the enhanced mobility rate out of the total number of PIP claimants with mental health conditions. While it can be seen that the average percentage of claimants with psychiatric disorders entitled to the enhanced PIP mobility award is almost 27%, these percentages are not weighted. The following table is not very clear, but the figures can be found here:
For example, there are 46.67% of claimants with enuresis entitled to the enhanced mobility award, but only 15 claimants with this condition in total. This 46.67% is given as much weight in the calculations as the 12.01% of claimants with psychosis entitled to the enhanced mobility award, although the number of claimants with this condition is 43,129. Once the percentages are appropriately weighted, the percentage of claimants with psychiatric conditions entitled to the enhanced mobility award is just under 12%.
It will be difficult for DWP to argue that there is parity between physical and mental conditions for PIP.
During the PIP debate yesterday in the House of Lords, Baroness Thomas of Winchester stated: The department said that of those with mental health conditions receiving the mobility component of DLA, only 9% had been entitled to the higher rate, whereas 27% of PIP claimants receive the enhanced mobility rate—or 28%, according to the Minister’s letter this morning oh dear more fabrication by the dwp hmm figures by them mean nowt dla how many people on this it was very many but pip we now 28 percent of little looks a lot hmm
A “medical assessment ” is just a benefit fraud assessment in disguise. The aim is to deny benefit to as many people as possible regardless of evidence . If you disagree then you have to go through an extended appeal process designed to wear you down . However the more times you go through this the easier it becomes. Like prison. The fear is in the first time.
Iam now on my second appeal for PIP. They were so desperate to deny me they deliberately did not discuss a descriptor & actually wrote ” not to be discussed” on the transcript. Despite allowing it previously. My only crime was that my illness had got worse.
I decided to involve my MP which i advise you to do. The more people who know about this victimisation the better.
To help with fretting about your forthcoming tribunal consider a complaint about your assessment . It will help with all your rage at the sheer injustice of having to be investigated by a supposed health professional whose only interest in you is the fee they will receive when your benefit is withdrawn.
Give them hell. What have you got to lose ?
I take medication for depression but my history of self-harm & suicide attempts was barely mentioned at the PIP assessment, the interview was about stopping DLA nothing at all about helping me to be independent (PIP). The resulting loss of income has left me in a complete state of limbo awaiting my Tribunal hearing.
C R Sellers.