Thousands of people unable to work because of progressive conditions are being placed in a work-related activity group, even if assessors admit they are unlikely ever to recover, the UK government admitted.
Thousands of people unable to work because of progressive conditions are being placed in a work-related activity group, even if assessors admit they are unlikely ever to recover, the UK government admitted.
A freedom of information request by several charities revealed that over a third of patients forced to leave their jobs because of various degenerative conditions are denied the higher rate of employment and support allowance.
Almost 8,000 people suffering from multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, cystic fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis were put in this group.
Work capability assessments are notorious for classifying people wrongly and so denying them the benefits they need. Yet in 5,000 of these cases, even the assessors had reported that the prospect of working was “unlikely in the longer term”.
People in the work-related activity group – which is supposed to be for those with a strong chance of recovery – get less money and payments may end after a year.
These claimants can also be ordered to undertake activity such as work placements. Their benefits may also be cut temporarily if they do not meet certain conditions. For instance, someone too sick to attend an appointment may be punished by being left without enough money to pay for food and heating.
In the first quarter of 2014 alone, sanctions were used over 15,900 times against sick and disabled people receiving employment and support allowance.
In addition, during the last five years, over seven-tenths of new claimants with these progressive conditions have been reassessed twice or more on the same claim. This can leave them in a state of anxiety, since they can never be sure how long they will keep getting social security, despite their deteriorating health.
It can be devastating to be told by doctors that you have a condition which will keep getting worse and, after years of struggling, have to give up your job. This may be not just a financial but also an emotional blow.
It makes matters worse for the state to then subject you to threats and humiliation as though, if you made more effort, your condition might go away.
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© Savitri Hensman is a widely published Christian commentator on politics, welfare, religion and more. An Ekklesia associate, she works in the equalities and care sector.