No Reassessment for ‘Lifelong’ Disabilities

Overlaying an off-white background, the words, ‘No Reassessment for ‘Lifelong’ Disabilities’ are in bold, black text in the top centre. Underneath are the words, ‘The fourth of a series of blogs exploring the key details of the recent government Green Paper, ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working’. Underneath the text is a simple outline of paper and a pen in navy blue, and a simple microscope outline in medium purple. Equal Lives’ logo is in the top right corner.

This is the fourth of a series of blogs exploring the key details of the recent government Green Paper, ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working’

In theory, the proposal that people with ‘lifelong’ conditions and disabilities will not be required to attend reassessments sounds promising. However, we do have some questions and concerns.

For example, which health conditions and disabilities will this apply to? Arthritis is highly disabling and doesn’t tend to become less so over time. Yet it is unlikely that arthritis is being referenced here, as so many benefit claimants live with this condition, meaning it wouldn’t help to 'balance the books'.

Equally, what happens when medical science discovers new treatments for lifelong conditions? Are the DWP efficient and organised enough to keep a list of those claimants with each type of condition to review once a cure has been available for a certain period? We have our doubts!

Much of the criticism around repeated reassessment is that benefit assessment is intimidating and retraumatising, and that so many claimants are arbitrarily forced into a lengthy and exhausting appeal process each time they are re-assessed.

The DWP and His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service data consistently shows that most appeals that reach tribunal rule in favour of the claimant, which demonstrates most assessors were underestimating or understating the claimant’s level of disablement to begin with. Why is this level of inaccuracy from assessors not being challenged or changed? Why has it been normalised that so much money is routinely wasted on tribunals because of poor assessment practice?

It is hard to believe this proposal is rooted in compassion for claimants. Disabled people are expected to engage with a process that is lacking integrity and treats us like we're being deceitful about our disabilities. Which - when you live that reality 24/7 and face all the barriers, inequities, stigma and discrimination that disablement entails - feels like a real kick in the teeth.

To our Members: how do you feel about this proposal?

Do you believe this change could benefit you long-term?

Or do you have doubts?

What are your concerns around its implementation?

Please email us at communications@equallives.org.uk. We will anonymise your submissions and send them to every MP in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Same motif as the first graphic, but with the words, ‘‘What happens when medical science discovers new treatments for lifelong conditions? Are the DWP efficient and organised enough to keep a list of those claimants with each type of condition to review once a cure has been available for a certain period?’.