Rethink Mental Illness has produced a report called Tip of the Iceberg? Deaths and Serious Harm in the Benefts System. The report has 4 key fndings-
'1. Recent data covering the last two years shows that the DWP conducted 124 Internal Process Reviews into death or serious harm. This represents an almost three-fold increase (176% rise) of IPRs compared to the period of February 2012 to July 2019. We do not currently know how far this refects increased levels of harm or how far it shows that serious cases were previously not being investigated. 2.There is a wide range of issues across the benefts system that have resulted in deaths, as well as causing self-harm and mental health crises.
3. Beneft deaths and serious harm reported in the media or investigated internally by the DWP may be the tip of the iceberg, with gaps in the way that cases are identifed. There is also evidence linking DWP processes to widespread mental health harm including death by suicide.
4. The DWP’s current process for investigating cases of death or serious harm are not independent. They lack external oversight and it is unclear whether they have recommended, far less delivered, systemic policy or culture change within the DWP.' The wide range of beneft issues include-
'...Both living with a disability and needing support from benefts are heavily stigmatised and the process of applying for benefts often makes people feel worthless,guiltyorontrialforaskingforsupport...manypeoplefndtheinitial application process for benefts confusing, demeaning, impersonal, and a source of anxiety and fear.... The experience of being wrongly found ft for work or ineligible for PIP can be very distressing, as well as causing severe fnancial hardship, and has been linked with a number of deaths...Decisions around assessments have been associated with several cases of deaths and serious harm. The requirement to attend a face-to-face appointment was a key factor in the deaths of Errol Graham, Jodey Whiting and Philippa Day...Our research has found many examples of DWP administrative errors that have had devastating consequences for people living with mental illness....The impact of the conditionality and sanctions regime on the wellbeing of claimants has long been a matter of concern.
Book now for our updated Benefts and Mental Health course 2021
This covers both PIP and ESA.