Why Claimants Died Plus The Cover Up That May See IDS On Trial
DLA to PIP transfer huge success
“Having been in receipt of lowest level DLA both components for M.E. on an indefinite basis for a number of years, I was dreading having to go through the whole DWP circus - yet again!- having had bad experiences in the past. I needn't have been so worried it turns out. Using the guides for completing the PIP form, and attending assessment really helped a lot, and I couldn't have done it properly without the guide, so thank you from the bottom of my heart to Holiday and Steve.
. . . I have waited a few weeks and finally got my letter today, with news that bowled me over. I have been awarded PIP Enhanced Rate Daily Living Component, AND PIP Enhanced Rate Mobility from 1st June. This is going to make such a difference to my life and I cannot thank you enough.”
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Dear Reader,
The DWP finally released very heavily redacted versions of the 49 peer reviews into claimant deaths last week.
In fact, some of the documents have been so heavily redacted that there is literally nothing left other than headings and standard text. Every word of substance, including details of lessons learned and recommendations for the future has been redacted.
Yet, the documents still reveal a great deal.
Most of the reports appear to be about claimants being forced off incapacity benefit (IB) and onto employment and support allowance (ESA).
In at least six of the 29 reports that contain any detail, there was a failure to even identify claimants as vulnerable, let alone offer them additional support
In other cases, even where a claimant has been identified as vulnerable, guidance was not followed and they did not receive the support they should have.
Perhaps worst of all, the reports show that the six point plan for claimants at risk of suicide was not being followed and in some cases had not even been drawn up by local offices.
The inescapable conclusion is that the DWP was putting targets before lives in the rush to push claimants off IB and onto ESA.
For those who want to research this issue in more detail, we've published a 16 page collection of extracts from the reports.
IDS COVER UP
Linked to the 49 peer reviews is a possible DWP cover up of their failure to act on an undertaking they gave a coroner in 2014, in relation to preventing future claimant deaths.
If this proves to be the case, it could see Iain Duncan Smith standing in the dock of a criminal court in Scotland.
In 2014 the DWP gave an undertaking to a coroner that they would “issue a reminder to staff about the guidance related to suicidal ideation that has been described in this report.” This was a reference to the six point plan mentioned above.
For the last 7 months Benefits and Work, and more recently the Information Commissioner’s Office, have been trying to get the DWP to prove that they actually issued that reminder. So far without success.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, IDS has been reported to the police for wilful neglect of duty by a public official for allegedly failing to act on a different coroner’s report in 2010.
If it turns out that a second coroner’s report was also effectively ignored, IDS could finally find himself having to account for at least some of the claimants deaths that occurred on his watch.
It’s a trial that an awful lot of claimants would dearly love to see.
Good luck,
Steve Donnison
PIP appeal success – you are changing lives for the better
“Many thanks for your step by step guide for the appeal process. Original award was 8 points care = standard .Tribunal award 13 points = enhanced. Original award 4 points mobility = no award. Tribunal award 12 points = enhanced. I was far too ill to attend Tribunal so I sent a written submission following your guides. Cant thank you all at b&w enough. You are changing lives for the better.”
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BENEFITS NEWS
Is this the cover-up that will help put IDS in the dock?
The DWP may be trying to cover up their failure to act on an undertaking they gave a coroner in 2014 in relation to preventing future claimant deaths.
Why claimants died - the 49 peer reviews
The DWP finally released very heavily redacted versions of the 49 peer reviews into claimant deaths last week. They show that the DWP repeatedly failed to act on warnings that vulnerable claimants were not being identified or supported.
Crabb confirms ESA cuts will go ahead
Work and Pensions secretary Stephen Crabb has confirmed that cuts to employment and support allowance (ESA) for new claimants will still go ahead next April, in spite of the climb down over personal independence payment (PIP) cuts.
IDS may face criminal investigation over ESA deaths
Scottish police have confirmed that they are considering launching a criminal investigation into the failure by Iain Duncan Smith and Chris Grayling to act on a coroner’s warning about flaws in the work capability assessment (WCA) that may have led to many claimant deaths.
Time limit for DLA claimed by children in hospital axed
From next month, parents of children admitted to hospital for long periods will no longer have to struggle with the loss of their disability living allowance (DLA) as well as dealing with their illness.
PIP and UC coming to Northern Ireland
Personal independence payment (PIP) is to belatedly begin replacing disability living allowance (DLA) in Norther Ireland from next month.
GOOD NEWS FROM THE FORUM
As always, many thanks to everyone who takes the trouble to post in the forum or email us with news of your success. We know it’s many readers favourite, and most encouraging, bit of the newsletter.
PIP renewal success
“Would just like to thank you for your excellent site. We followed your advice to the letter and finally the brown letter popped through the letter box and to our pleasure we have received the Enhanced Care Component (which I got 13 points for) and the Enhanced mobility (which I got 14 points for) for 6 years…Well done keep up the good work”
PIP enhanced rates and ESA support group
“Hi all at Benefit and Work. Your help and support has been invaluable, After reading all the members only guides and following all the fantastic advice my PIP and ESA forms were sent in…
Last week the dreaded brown envelopes arrived and with much trepidation I opened them. I have been awarded PIP both Mobility and Daily Living at the enhanced rate for 10yrs and ESA on the support group category too, Many many thanks again.. Good luck to all others who are going through this process and keep up the fantastic work.”
Child DLA renewal relief
“Just to say thank you again for all the information given in members guides. My son ,who has the same hereditary disabling conditions as myself, has just had his renewal agreed at the same higher rates as has been getting previously…having the guides meant it was easier to break it all down to answer the questions for the assessors to understand.”
Support Group success
“Have just received my reassessment and have been placed in the support group again without a medical. This is all thanks to the members and guides on this website. A very big thank you to you all”
ESA Support Group success
“I just found out today on the phone … I have been placed in the ESA Support Group for 2 years, after returning the WCA questionnaire. I am delighted with this result ... I think the B&W guide helped me massively as I filled in the form completely differently this time to how I have previously, including loads more detail."
ESA renewal - Support Group – no medical
“Got letter through today and glad to say with B & W help I've been put in the Support Group…Once again THANKS!!! For all your help”
Thanks B&W
“many thanks for all the helpful advice that's given on the forum and the site…”
PIP reconsideration result
“Wanted to say thank you to all at B&W for the excellent guides on PIP reconsideration request. Went from Standard Mobility to Standard Mobility and Enhanced Care ( from 6 points to 13) until September 2018.Once again, many many thanks”
ESA Support Group No Medical Thank you
“A difficult year has almost been worth it - just had news that my husband has been put in ESA Support Group without a medical! Thanks again to B&W for the brilliant, brilliant guides, and also to the hard-working moderators - our B&W sub is now vital to our quality of life and well-being. It also helps to know there are others out there who understand what it's really like dealing with chronic illness/being a carer. Best wishes and good luck to all and deep, heartfelt thanks again.”
DLA to PIP
“Success thanks to Benefits and Work. Awarded standard rate care and enhanced rate mobility - same as Dla amount"
PIP Result
“Just wanted to say thanks to B&W for the invaluable guides, that helped get me the results I needed. Everyone please keep trying for what you're entitled to, and use the Guides on here”
DLA to PIP Great success
“Such a relief got letter today, was on DLA for years, Been awarded PIP enhanced rate Daily Living and Enhanced rate Mobility till 2026! ...Cant thank you enough for all the advice and support the Moderators have given me ...I became a member and had access to your fabulous guides which have been invaluable along with reading other members experiences helped me so much. I would like to thank you so much for helping me i have no doubt without the help and the guides on this site i wouldnt have got this award. Thank you”
PIP success
“Thanks to the invaluable help of Benefit and Work I have been awarded lower level of PIP”
BOOST YOUR PIP AND ESA CHANCES - 20% OFF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP – OFFER ENDS MIDNIGHT FRIDAY.
Give yourself the best possible chance of getting the right ESA, PIP or DLA decision, whether you’re making a claim, renewing an existing award or asking for a reconsideration or appeal.
Subscribe now and get instant access to all our guides.
If you’re not already a member, join the Benefits and Work community before midnight on Friday and you can get 20% off the cost of your annual subscription.
Just type the following code into the coupon box when you pay: 68253
Claimants and carers get an annual subscription for £15.96, down from £19.95. Professionals get an annual subscription for £77.60, down from £97.00.
Offer ends midnight Friday
Good luck,
The Office Team
Benefits and Work Publishing Ltd
Company registration No. 5962666
