The SNP has slammed the UK Government after it was revealed Scots living with disabilities are left waiting more than four months for a decision after applying for a new benefit.
Inverness and Nairn MP Drew Hendry has written to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to demand answers after he learned that vulnerable individuals - including those ill with cancer - were spending up to 19 weeks before a decision was made on their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.
PIP is a benefit for people aged over 16 and under State Pension age with a disability, long-term illness or mental health condition who need help completing daily tasks inside their home or getting around outside it.
On top of waiting 19 weeks for a decision to be made, many will be incorrectly told they are not entitled to the benefit given 76% of PIP appeals are successful. They will then have to wait even longer as they go through the appeals process to get funds.
The charity Z2K last week published a report showing that a huge percentage of people claiming PIP in the UK do not trust the UK government’s disability benefit assessment process.
Hendry was contacted by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) over the delays some Scots were experiencing.
The MP told the Record: “While the SNP in Government has been committed to using new devolved powers to build a social security system based on the principles of fairness, dignity and respect - principles that will underpin the upcoming Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment - the Tories at Westminster are ignoring the needs and the voices of people with disabilities in the UK.
"The Scottish Government has increased support for disabled people and acted to protect people from cruel and callous Tory policies such as the bedroom tax, which have stigmatised disabled people at every turn.
“This is the right way for a government to support its citizens - not leaving them waiting over four months for vital income, failing to increase legacy benefits in line with Universal Credit, and refusing to acknowledge the fact that people with disabilities have faced higher costs during the pandemic.
“Successive Westminster governments have been failing people with disabilities for years.
"But as long as employment powers and the majority of welfare powers remain reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government will always be trying to build a fairer society with one hand tied behind its back."
The DWP confirmed the average clearance time for a new claim for PIP was 19 weeks as of January 2021, the same time as it was prior to the pandemic.
Clearance time includes the period allowed for claimants to complete and return their questionnaire alongside any additional evidence they have.
A spokesman said: “People who are terminally ill have their claim cleared on average in four working days, and we are working hard to ensure everyone gets the support they are entitled to as fast as possible, with many entitled to support from other benefits as they await PIP payments.”
