Proposed changes to PIP are insulting and stigmatising
1st March 2017
SAMH is appalled at the UK Government’s intention to prevent people with mental health problems receiving an important benefit.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) contributes towards the extra costs faced by disabled people. Recent tribunal hearings ruled that people who find it hard to leave the house because of anxiety, panic attacks, and other mental health problems should be able to receive the higher rate of PIP.
But the UK Government plans to change the rules so they don’t have to comply with these rulings. And a number 10 policy aide even said “PIP should go to “really disabled people” not those “sitting at home taking pills who suffer from anxiety”.
SAMH thinks this is insulting to people with mental health problems, and adds to the stigma and discrimination they already face when trying to claim money to which they are entitled.
A 2016 SAMH report on PIP found that the people we work with faced negative and stigmatising attitudes from some assessors who don’t consider their mental ill health in the same way they would physical health.
Billy Watson, Chief Executive of SAMH said:
“Everyone with a mental health problem should be treated fairly and with respect irrespective of their condition or diagnosis.
“We want to move to healthier and fairer society and this intention is not only discriminatory, it is unhelpful and stigmatising.”
In our report on PIP one person said: ‘I got told that my conditions don’t impact on my life. I go to bed at night crying, praying that I don’t wake up. I’ve lost my house, and this has no impact on my life?’
Forty per cent of people currently receiving PIP in Scotland qualify because of their mental health problems – more than any other condition.
The Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee will consider the Government’s proposed changes on Thursday.
SAMH will be briefing against the changes, through our membership of Disability Agenda Scotland. You can contact members of the Committee here.
