It has recently been revealed by Benefits And Work that PIP (Personal Independence Payments) appeal figures have risen by 119% in 2022, this is compared to the same quarter in 2021.
The rate of UC (Universal Credit) appeals has also risen by 28% the latest official figures show.
The number of cases that were dealt increased by only 18% in the same time period compared to figures from 2021.
Figures show that there were 63,000 outstanding cases by the end of September 2021 which adds to an annual increase of 96%.
The average wait time for an appeal averaged at 31 weeks. This shows that it is 8 weeks down from 2021 figures , but is likely to increase over the coming quarters as the backlog rises inexorably.
The success rate for PIP appeals remains unchanged at 68%. This shows that the vast majority of those who appeal are correct in their decision to appeal however the wait time for appeals to be heard continues to rise.
For UC claimants it is revealed that the appeal success rates are now at 49% which is an increase of 7% on the previous year.
DLA (Disability Living Allowance) success rates are now at 61% which is down 6%.
Meanwhile ESA (Employment and Support Allowance success rates are now 53%, down on the previous year at 1%
Appealing against any DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) decision is always daunting and extremely stressful. Not only is the appeal process hard to navigate, the waiting times for appeals and tribunals to be heard is increasing.
The success rate shows that those making the decision to appeal have made the right decision in doing so.
Sadly many people that are entitled to appeal fail to do so because they can’t afford to wait a long time for their appeal to be heard and also can’t cope with the stress involved, many having no support network to rely upon.
I don’t need to tell you that the downright discrimination and hatred given to disabled and unemployed people is totally unfair and discriminatory.
This cruelty combined with the increasing cost of living and energy prices is making life extremely difficult for those that are most in need of financial help.
In an ideal world this wouldn’t be happening at all but there won’t be any positive changes made to the system whilst there’s a Tory government in power.
The conservative party is doing what they do best, punishing the most vulnerable and poor for their very existence, they need to be stopped and soon before more people suffer and die as a result of their actions.
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The poor side of life 
Unfortunately though, the disgraceful treatment of people and the sheer diabolical Tory-engineered mess of the Social Security system does not seem to be something that is even being addressed by the Labour party. I would love for Labour to gain power and overturn all the madness and injustices of the Benefits system and to make everything right again and fully functional in a fair way, but so far all they’re saying is something about altering the WCA to make it easier to get sick and disabled people back into work! All of which is of course totally missing the point. They should scrap WCA altogether and replace “fit notes” with Sick Notes. Only a person’s Doctor or NHS specialist should be able to decide who is fit for work or not. Sanctions should be abolished too, and elderly unemployed should be exempt from attending back to work schemes and programmes.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jan/10/labour-plans-overhaul-routes-work-sick-long-term-unemployed-jonathan-ashworth
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Very well said Trev! Hope you’re ok
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I’m surviving Charlotte, still relying on food parcels, and now this week am in limbo awaiting a decision on a Discretionary Housing Payment application from Local Welfare Provision. Don’t know if I’ll get it or not, or even how much it might be, but shouldn’t take much longer to get an answer. At moment zero bank balance and I only got paid 5 days ago. Have paid December’s electricity bill of £225, Ouch! Got nowt left.
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