News

Pembrokeshire residents lose millions due to PIP refusals

Published

6 years ago

August 27, 2018

BETWEEN £2m and £3.9m will be lost from households in Pembrokeshire if former claimants of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in the county refused Personal Independence Payments (PIP) fail to win their appeals, or are paid at the lowest rate.

Around 25% of all DLA claimants who live in Pembrokeshire have been refused the PIP benefit.
In Wales, 30,000 of over 100,000 applicants have been refused.

PIPs are for those who need help with extra costs associated with long-term illness or disability and pays between £57.30 and £139.75 per week.

A BBC investigation covering the whole of Wales revealed this week (Aug 27) that this represents a cut of at least £87m in benefits for the whole of Wales.

But the UK government said 40% of claimants receive more money under PIP than DLA.

PIPs have been gradually replacing DLA as the main benefit for disabled or ill people since the roll out started in 2013.

Claimants of DLA have been made to undergo reassessments which are carried out by private firm Capita on behalf of the UK government.

To be awarded PIP, the claimant must undergo an assessment – which can include a face-to-face appointment – to decide how someone’s illness or disability impacts on the cost of their day-to-day lives.

The DWP said many people on the old DLA benefit were not assessed for years, whereas PIP assesses people regularly to ensure they receive the right level of help.

A DWP spokesperson said: “We’re committed to ensuring that disabled people get the full support that they need, and under PIP in Wales 40% of people are getting a higher rate of support than they were previously getting under DLA.

“Decisions are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist. 3.3 million PIP decisions have been made – and of these 9% have been appealed and 4% overturned.
“In the majority of successful appeals, decisions are overturned because people have submitted more oral or written evidence,” added the spokesperson.

Of those who appealed a refusal at tribunal, 75% were successful.

In April this year, outsourcers Atos and Capita have come under fire for the reported mishandling of as many as a third of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments they carried out. The firms received a raise for their efforts last year, raking in more than £250 million each for the controversial disability welfare checks, despite Parliament’s Work and Pensions Committee recently suggesting vulnerable people had been “pushed to the brink of destitution” by the contractors’ handling of the scheme.

Every person receiving Personal PIP will have their claim reviewed, the Department for Work and Pensions said earlier this year. A total of 1.6 million of the main disability benefit claims will be reviewed, with around 220,000 people expected to receive more money.

It comes after the DWP decided not to challenge a court ruling that said changes to PIP were unfair to people with mental health conditions. The review could cost £3.7bn by 2023.

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

14 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

16 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Community

Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success

Published

16 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.

Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.

The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.

A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.