WheelieQueer

Hello. In this summer edition of the WheelieQueer PIP/Disability News newsletter, we update you on the railway ticket office closures throughout England and talk about the PIP helpline problems and how WheelieQueer can help.

For interesting workshops and events also check out the Association of Lipspeakers with additional Sign.

THIS MONTH'S UPDATES

On Disability Benefits News

Disability and Living costs: The DWP’s “generosity” to disabled people

In response to an editorial by the Guardian on how the rising cost of living prices affect disabled people and are widening the inequality gap, a reader sent in a brief letter, reading:

“Re your editorial […], don’t worry about disabled people – we all got a letter from the DWP saying we were getting a whole £10 Christmas bonus. It also explained that we’d be sanctioned if we were paid it twice and didn’t report the discrepancy, just in case anyone’s worried that we’re gaming the system.”

The editorial, which was published earlier this year, talked about new research that showed the alarming extent to which disabled people were being affected, and that according to the Resolution Foundation, “the gap between the median incomes of disabled and non-disabled UK household” is 44%”.

Continuing, the article described how the low employment numbers aren’t the only reason for the income gap, but also the higher living costs associated with disability, which cannot be met with the current system in place.

The government has stated it was committed to raising these benefits, however, “with a backlog of around 250,000 new claimants waiting to be assessed, delays and the rising number of claims,” concerns are rising.

“The number of people in the UK with a disability rose from 17% in 2013 to 23% in 2022, pointing to a widening public health crisis and underfunded health and care system.”

There is a dire need for a system that ensures “that disabled people’s living standards do not fall further behind, causing distress and further increasing the already-unsustainable load on voluntary sector bodies such as food banks”.

Discrimination in the Met

Earlier this year, a report was released into the discrimination in the Met. It wasn’t until the release of said report, which was anticipated to highlight racism, misogyny and homophobia in the Greater London police service, that the ableism was uncovered.

The Mirror writes: “The report found that 33 per cent of staff with a disability or long-term illness have experienced bullying. The report notes that “disability discrimination is the most frequent claim type brought against the Met. But there is no willingness to learn from these cases.”

While there were 24 cases of race discrimination as a single issue and 195 in connection to other issues, disability was the most recurring tribunal claim brought forward, with 120 single claims listed, and 238 alongside other issues. And further, that 33 % of staff with disability or long-term illnesses have previously experienced some form of bullying.

There is also the question of why this hadn’t been earlier reported, while earlier reports have condemned the sexism, racism and homophobia in the Met.

Citing the report, the Mirror article states that “neither the data we examined, nor the recording practices on which the data is based, were of sufficient quality to allow such factors [disability and sexuality] to be evidenced to the same extent as the systemic bias evident on race and gender.” And further that “better data recording by the Met will be necessary in future to support any improvements in tackling all forms of bias”.

“Baroness Casey’s report concludes that “these forms of personal discrimination are far too present in an organisation that is dealing with members of the public who are made vulnerable by being a victim of crime. An organisation that wants the public to trust them.”

Important Read:

Rail Ticket Office Closures: Update

In our last newsletter, we talked about the impact that the announced ticket office closures across England will have on disabled people and highlighted the opinions of several customers who had written to the Guardian.

Now we bring you an update.

According to DisabilityRightsUK two disabled rail users have since launched a legal challenge.

“Regular rail travellers Sarah Leadbetter, who is registered blind, and Doug Paulley, a wheelchair user who has hearing loss, claim that the consultation is unlawful and discriminates against Disabled people,” the article states.

And further: “They argue giving people just 21 days to respond to some of the biggest changes to railway operations for a generation is inadequate and breaches legal requirements for such consultations. They also say the format of the consultation is inaccessible to many Disabled people and lacks information about how the changes may affect them. This means Disabled people, who often rely on ticket offices for assistance, may not have their views heard equally.”

You can read about their argument against the rail industry’s consultation, and why it would be unlawful, in the link below.

PIP News and Updates

PIP Helpline waiting time increases

BenefitsandWork is reporting that the average waiting time for callers to the PIP helpline has been continuously rising, from 25 minutes in January to 40 minutes in March. In May, the average time for an answer was more than 40 minutes.

This isn’t the biggest problem with the helpline, as half a million callers were deliberately disconnected by the DWP before they could even reach the queue.

BenefitsandWork reached out to the DWP, who provided statistics of almost 500,000 calls being blocked in April alone.

In a statement, the DWP said: “Personal Independence Payment has experienced unprecedented levels of new claims from customers in recent months and as a result we have seen increased call traffic,” however, according to BenefitsandWork “whilst claims are at record levels, […] the number of new claims in the quarter to April 2023 is only up by 20% on the number of new claims in the quarter to April 2022”, and thus well short of being “unprecedented”.

“Forms are not being sent out, letters are not being acknowledged, changes of address or bank details are not being recorded and claimants are being left many months with the horrible uncertainty of not knowing the result of their award review. All this results in a continual increase in the number of desperate callers to the PIP helpline. And amongst them all are the claimants whose health conditions have changed, but who cannot pass on that information or receive the increased award they may be entitled to.” - BenefitsandWork

In a recent statement concerning the matter, Tom Pursglove, minister for disabled people, “admitted this month that waiting times for PIP and ESA inquiry lines have been too long,” but continued that PIP claimants would have to wait till the end of summer to see any improvement.

“The Department recognises that wait times for the PIP and ESA inquiry line have been too long. To reduce waiting times, we are recruiting more staff and, in the short term, are diverting staff to support better performance.”

Have you been experiencing problems with the PIP helpline or need help applying for PIP? We are here to help. In our Ask Jasper section, we are reposting all the information on how WheelieQueer can help you. You can also check out our website for all the information.

Upcoming Events/Workshops

Events

• Until the 16th October 2023

  Nothing About Us Without Us: Exhibition

  People’s History Museum, Manchester

• August 22th 2023

  Wandsworth Disability Sports Festival 2023

  George Shearing Centre and Shillington Gardens Este Road London SW11

Workshops

• August 9th 2023

  Webinar: Reducing Social Care Charges and Disability Related Expenses

  Find all the information here

Also, check out: the Association of Lipspeakers with additional Sign where Jasper recently also held a webinar on trans topics: 1. Learn more about using pronouns, 2. What gender identities mean, 3. How to show inclusivity with trans clients.

Ask Jasper

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Breaking down barriers for Deaf and Disabled People

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