PIP DWP plan that could see claimants get therapy instead of cash sparks outcry

PIP claimants could be facing major changes to their benefits

Campaigners have blasted proposals to overhaul disability benefits as a "reckless assault" on the disabled. The Department of Work and Pensions is considering redoing Personal Independence Payments, currently the primary benefit offered to disabled Britons along with its predecessor Disability Living Allowance, in an effort to address the spiralling costs associated with it.

But with a study from Scope demonstrating that households with at least one disabled individual already find themselves £975 worse off each month compared to non-disabled households, charities are urging a reconsideration of the current plans. The department's cost-cutting proposal could see approximately 1.4 million PIP recipients being given vouchers and medical treatment instead of the current monthly cash awards, which can be as much as £737.

Throwing more light on the proposed changes, the department shared: "We are considering options including one-off grants to better help people with significant costs such as home adaptations or expensive equipment, as well as giving vouchers to contribute towards specific costs, or reimbursing claimants who provide receipts for purchases of aids, appliances or services.

"This reflects the fact that some claimants will have significant extra costs related to their disability, and others will have minimal or specific costs. We know other forms of support including health care, social services care provision and respite are also important to help people to realise their full potential and live independently.

"We are also considering whether some people receiving PIP who have lower, or no extra costs, may have better outcomes from improved access to treatment and support than from a cash payment."

As part of the consultation, which is due to conclude three weeks after the General Election, the DWP is inviting disabled people, their representatives and local stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposals, which are part of the Modernising Support for Independent Living: the Health and Disability Green Paper. James Taylor, Director of Strategy at disability charity Scope, said: "Life costs a lot more for disabled people, including people with mental health conditions. Threatening to take away the low amount of income PIP provides won't solve the country's problems. The government needs to end this reckless assault on disabled people and focus on how to fix the real underlying issues."