Some people may be sceptical due to the Department’s distinctly patchy record of getting things right, but they are apparently going to be able to decide when people with long-term health conditions limiting their day-to-day activities aren’t really too disabled. Of course, it goes without saying that the Department will ensure those decision-makers have all the professional skills and training they need to fully understand and interpret medical evidence (assuming the NHS coughs it all up).
Imagine that hugely positive and reassuring news: The DWP able to tell us that our conditions aren’t severe or life-long as they make benefit decisions. How utterly life-affirming and, presumably, employers will be convinced too so that we can keep our jobs and even get new ones. On the other hand, what happens if the Department isn’t always right? Perhaps there will be a time-limit after which claimants can say “I haven’t got any better so you got it wrong and owe me all the payments you cut for the last xx years”?
‘A cruel penalty’: disabled people face lower benefit payments if conditions not deemed lifelong
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/29/disabled-benefit-claimants-face-lower-payments-if-conditions-not-deemed-lifelong-charities-say?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other