Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) attended Parliament on Monday evening to lobby policymakers against cost-cutting plans to tighten the work capability assessment (WCA) for disability benefits.
The WCA is a test to see if potential claimants can qualify for disability benefits.
Plans being considered by the Department for Work and Pensions would mean, from 2025, claimants will face a tougher assessment to receive benefits. The plans are estimated to save the Government over a million pounds.
Philip Bayes, a disabled Londoner and member of DPAC, said “It’s going to push people to the brink. Especially people who have got mental health [issues]…you could push them to the brink of suicide”.
Mr Bayes is yet to undergo the WCA, but may be amongst those subjected to the stricter assessment. Failing to qualify will force him to return to full-time work so he can afford his rent.
Rona Topaz, another DPAC member, is also concerned about the proposed plans. She recently applied for universal credit but now feels anxious over the outcome of her claim.
Ronda Topaz
“The Government’s decision to prioritise tax cuts can be harmful for people on benefits. The ordinary disabled person could be about to receive less benefits. And as a result, disabled people’s quality of life will decline.”
DPAC’s meeting with policymakers at Parliament marked their first attempt to challenge the planned reform, but they did not receive the reassurance they wanted.
If economic conditions continue to worsen, the Londoners represented by the like of DPAC will become difficult to ignore.
London Houses of Parliament
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Standfirst
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HeadlineDisabled Londoners unite against proposed Social Security reform
Short HeadlineDisabled Londoners stand against welfare changes
StandfirstLondon's disabled community fears tougher access to essential benefits as Universal Credit faces changes.
Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) attended Parliament on Monday evening to lobby policymakers against cost-cutting plans to tighten the work capability assessment (WCA) for disability benefits.
The WCA is a test to see if potential claimants can qualify for disability benefits.
Plans being considered by the Department for Work and Pensions would mean, from 2025, claimants will face a tougher assessment to receive benefits. The plans are estimated to save the Government over a million pounds.
Philip Bayes, a disabled Londoner and member of DPAC, said “It’s going to push people to the brink. Especially people who have got mental health [issues]…you could push them to the brink of suicide”.
Mr Bayes is yet to undergo the WCA, but may be amongst those subjected to the stricter assessment. Failing to qualify will force him to return to full-time work so he can afford his rent.
Rona Topaz, another DPAC member, is also concerned about the proposed plans. She recently applied for universal credit but now feels anxious over the outcome of her claim.
Ronda Topaz
“The Government’s decision to prioritise tax cuts can be harmful for people on benefits. The ordinary disabled person could be about to receive less benefits. And as a result, disabled people’s quality of life will decline.”
DPAC’s meeting with policymakers at Parliament marked their first attempt to challenge the planned reform, but they did not receive the reassurance they wanted.
If economic conditions continue to worsen, the Londoners represented by the like of DPAC will become difficult to ignore.
