Nearly two million sick-pay claimants may be ineligible as assessments stall
Close to two million people receiving sickness benefits might not qualify, with most overdue for reassessment by an average of two years, and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden warning the system lets claimants slip through unnoticed.
A recent probe found that nearly two million individuals drawing sickness-benefit cash may no longer meet eligibility criteria, with more than two-thirds overdue for a work capability reassessment and an average delay of two years. Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, admitted that claimants can disappear into the system, highlighting a case where a person received payments for 16 years without health verification.
The revelation comes as the government prepares welfare reforms, including removing the health test from Universal Credit for some under-25s and replacing modest cash payments with intensive employment support. A pending review of the Personal Independence Payment scheme may also lead to major changes, but the Prime Minister could face resistance from his own backbenchers, similar to a recent rebellion that halted cuts to disability benefits.
PIP entitlement has climbed to a record 4.09 million, up 7 % from the previous year, stressing the need for a sustainable system. Ministers anticipate pushback from Labour MPs when they propose budgetary measures to recover overpayments.
Why it matters
Potential overpayments strain public finances and highlight flaws in the welfare assessment system.
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