Discrediting experiences: outcomes of eligibility assessments for claimants with psychiatric compared with non-psychiatric conditions transferring to personal independence payments in England. Issue 2 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pybus, Katie; Pickett, Kate E.; Prady, Stephanie L.; Lloyd, Charlie; Wilkinson, Richard
• Is Part Of: BJPsych open. Volume 5:Issue 2(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Service users, -- parity of esteem, -- personal independence payments, -- welfare reform, -- eligibility assessment; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental health -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2019.3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-4724

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Recent qualitative research suggests that changes to the way eligibility for welfare payments is determined in the UK may be detrimental to claimants with mental illnesses. No large-scale analysis has been undertaken to date. Aims: To examine differences between claimants with psychiatric conditions compared with non-psychiatric conditions in the number of claims disallowed following a personal independence payment (PIP) eligibility assessment for existing disability living allowance (DLA) claimants. Method: Administrative data on DLA claimants with psychiatric conditions transferring to PIP between 2013 and 2016 was compared with claimants with non-psychiatric conditions to explore differences in the number of claims disallowed following an eligibility assessment. Results: Claimants with a mental illness were 2.40 (95% CI 2.36–2.44) times more likely to have their existing DLA entitlement removed following a PIP eligibility assessment than claimants with musculoskeletal conditions, neurological conditions and diabetes. Conclusions: PIP eligibility assessment outcomes show marked differences by health condition, raising questions as to whether the process is equitable. Declaration of interest: None.