Charities call for changes to 'unfair' sickness benefit reforms

The Papworth Trust is leading a coalition of disability charities declaring that the process used to examine people's fitness for employment is not working.

Charities say they are overwhelmed by evidence showing the assessment to be inaccurate and often unfair to the nation's most vulnerable people.

They say that the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is too focused on physical capability, meaning that people with serious mental health issues, learning disabilities and fluctuating health conditions are often marked as fit to work.

The coalition has 22 members, including Mind, Remploy, RNID, National Autistic Society, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Disability Benefits Consortium.

They met in London on July 28 and have together drafted a letter to Professor Malcolm Harrington, who has been appointed by the Department for Work and Pensions to independently review the WCA.

This states: "For a while, we have been concerned about the accuracy of the outcomes from the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). This concern was compounded by the announcement of changes to Housing Benefit in the Emergency Budget statement in June 2010, where payment will now be tied to the period of the JSA claim.

"It is concerning that an assessment which we do not believe has demonstrated its ability to place people correctly onto Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) may become the basis of eligibility for a far wider range of benefits."

One example of a case that Papworth believes to have been wrongly assessed is that of Wendy, a nurse manager who had a breakdown and tried to commit suicide after being overwhelmed with stress. She told the charity: "I went from being a capable person to someone who couldn't even make simple decisions such as what to eat. I was like that for several months."

Her assessment was carried out by a nurse rather than a psychiatrist or psychologist and because Wendy could wash, dress, walk and talk coherently, she was determined fit to work.

Wendy, who has since been assessed as fit to work, added: "Our financial worries are a major stress factor. I've always paid into the system and have never claimed for anything before.

"I desperately want to go back to work but am still unwell. I need time and support to recover before I can hold down a full-time job again."

Papworth said it believed independent assessors had not been sufficiently trained to recognise the full range of disabilities, causing people dealing with serious health conditions to be reported as work ready.

Matthew Lester, Work and Learning Director of Papworth Trust said: "While we back the Government's aim to sort those who can work from those who can't, it is crucial that those genuinely unable to work continue to get the support they need.

"The current process causes massive uncertainty and stress for those already struggling with their health. We believe that people should be supported before, during and after the assessment, with advice available at every step."

A DWP spokesperson said: "The Government is determined to help the 2.5 million people abandoned on sickness benefits, giving those that can work the help to do so and those that can't more, not less, support.

"But we know there are concerns with the Work Capability Assessment which is why ministers have already made some changes to the way it recognises people suffering from mental health problems and those with cancer, and that's why Professor Malcolm Harrington is now conducting a full review of the assessment to make sure it's fair and accurate."

Anyone concerned about the Work Capability Assessment is invited to contact Papworth Trust on 0800 952 5000 option 2, Monday-Friday 9am-4pm.

Papworth Trust provides a wide range of services for disabled people, helping more than 17,000 people from the East of England and beyond through a wide range of services covering Employment. For more information go to www.papworth.org.uk.