A learning disability is lifelong. It doesn't change, so why are people asked to prove it again and again?
That’s why Mencap is calling for an end to unnecessary PIP reassessments for people with a learning disability. Because it's just common sense.
Dear editors,
7 out of 10 people with a learning disability who are claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will have to apply again after just a few years.
This system doesn’t work for people with a learning disability, and isn’t making the most of government money either.
I, as one of the 1.5 million people in the UK with a learning disability, know that there is one change that will make a huge difference in our lives: People with a learning disability should not keep being reassessed for PIP every few years.
Click here to read more.We should not need to repeat ourselves when nothing is going to change. It’s overwhelming and frustrating for us. And I feel the system labels us as doing something wrong, which we are not.
The Timms Review into PIP has listened. Its emerging recommendations say people with lifelong conditions, like a learning disability, should not keep being reassessed when their condition will not change. This is good news, but we now need the government to act on these recommendations.
A learning disability starts when we are born, or just after. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things like making friends, managing money or work. A learning disability is not our fault. It also shouldn’t be confused with a learning difficulty like dyslexia or a mental health condition. We will have a learning disability all our lives, and it’s not something that can be changed. It’s part of who we are.
People with a learning disability have unavoidable extra costs. Things like having to use taxis due to inaccessible public transport, or specialist food to meet both our nutrition and sensory needs. This is why PIP is so important. Both the daily living and mobility components of PIP are essential support to us.
Reassessment is a waste of government money. 9 out of 10 people who get the daily living part of PIP, when reassessed, get the same outcome. The stress, time and frustration aren’t needed when our needs are unlikely to change.
This is why it matters to me. Because I understand the frustration of going through each step of a PIP reassessment. I have gone through it, and I believe it needs to stop. People with a learning disability like me are part of one community. We need to come together to stop this.
The stress is all made worse by our financial security constantly feeling at risk, with each reassessment meaning we could end up with less money or no money to live on. It isn’t right.
We are clear – most people with a learning disability who receive the daily living part of PIP get the same outcomes with each reassessment. It’s time to end unnecessary PIP reassessment. Because people with a learning disability will always have it. It will not change. It cannot change.
The government now has an opportunity to stop spending money reassessing us and put the money to better use – supporting disabled people.
Yours sincerely,
Ismail Kaji
Parliamentary & Government Officer, Mencap