THE article on the loss of disability payments contained some interesting and revealing statistics (The Press, April 17).
As many people will know, the Disability Living Allowance has been replaced by PIP (Personal Independence Payment).
It appears that, for the year 2016-17, 200,000 people will have lost their entitlement to this benefit after only a short assessment interview.
It is obvious that many mistakes will have been made. In fact 160,000 people have had the assessment overturned on appeal since 2013.
The whole system creates a great deal of stress for everyone, whether they lose their benefit altogether or are obliged to go through the whole process of appealing and facing a tribunal.
This is also very costly for the Government. Other figures which have come to light show that the two companies used tor assessments (Atos and Capita) have been paid so far a staggering £578 million. In addition to this there will have been the cost of tribunals etc.
To justify the payments they have received no doubt the assessors will have to reject thousands of applicants, which is just what they are doing.
The whole system is a scandal which is causing hardship for many vulnerable people.
Surely there must be better ways for the Government to add to their coffers. Should we be lobbying our MPs to take action?
Jean Frost, Heworth, York
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