Claimants were originally told they were ineligible - raising concerns about dishonesty
Thirty benefit claimants with terminal cancer who had their claims rejected last year all won them back on appeal.
The claimants had all been told they were ineligible for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before being awarded the highest rate of PIP by a tribunal.
They all lived in one area – Stoke-on-Trent – although similar occurrences have been exposed across the UK.
Private contractors Capita carried out the tests on behalf of the government.
It has long been believed many of these firms operate a target-driven culture in which they are encouraged to fail claimants.
Disability News Service (DNS) said it had been provided the evidence by Unite shop steward Duncan Walker.
Walker said he had dealt with at least 30 cases over the last year in which a claimant with terminal cancer has been found ineligible for PIP, but has later been awarded the enhanced rates of the benefit (for both daily living and mobility) by an appeal tribunal.
He said he had attended assessments as a Unite Community volunteer, and witnessed one claimant using an oxygen supply and having to stop and breathe it in every few minutes yet still have his claim rejected.
Another claimant had a spinal tumour and had to be brought to her appeal tribunal by the ambulance service, with paramedics wheeling her into the hearing.
Walker persuaded Stoke-on-Trent City Council late last year to hold an inquiry into the PIP assessment system after concerns about dishonesty.
Walker told DNS: “I look at the reports and I am thinking, ‘How can they write this? This can’t possibly be true.’
“For me personally as a tax-payer I am beyond ashamed that my money is being used in such a perverse way.
“I am ashamed of my own government treating the sick and terminally-ill in this way and using my money to do it, and private companies making a profit out of the terminally-ill and producing fictitious reports.
“Report after report is a work of fiction. It is 100% dishonesty.”
A DWP spokeswoman said in a statement: “Decisions for PIP are made based on all the information provided by the claimant, including any supporting information from their GP or medical specialist.
“We’re helping people with the most severe conditions to get the extra support that they need.
“This includes fast-tracking claims, and ensuring they can get the highest rates of benefit payments.
“As we’ve previously said, we do not accept that there is dishonesty among PIP assessors.”
A Capita spokeswoman said: “Our assessors are healthcare professionals who are committed to delivering high quality and accurate reports in line with Department for Work and Pensions guidance.
“If someone has questions about the assessment service we have provided, they can contact us by phone, text phone, email or post.”
