Benefit tests are leading to anxiety

MORE than 7,000 people in Oldham are facing fear and anxiety over tests to see whether they are fit to work, a damning report today warns.

The Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee said the Incapacity Benefit (IB) reassessment process is leading to widespread concern among vulnerable people who fear they will be forced back into work.

The Government failed to communicate its purpose behind the new tests, resulting in the belief the move is simply about saving money, the report says.

Nationally an estimated 2.1 million IB claimants will be reassessed to see whether they are fit to work.

In trials, 30 per cent of claimants were judged fit to work and were immediately placed on job seekers’ allowance (JSA) — losing at least £25 a week in benefit.

A further 40 per cent were assessed as able to look for work, with support.

Of the 9,700 IB claimants in Oldham, 7,275 are set to be assessed. The remainder are nearing retirement age and therefore will come off IB and moved to a state pension.

Those deemed fit to work will move to JSA, while those needing help will receive the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) — which is replacing IB — and be made to take part in work-placed activities.

Those unfit to work will be paid ESA at a higher rate.

Committee chairman Dame Anne Begg said: “The Government’s aim of helping benefit claimants back into work is laudable, but the scale of the challenge should not be underestimated and nor should the level of anxiety which surrounds the process. People are suspicious that the Government’s only objective is to save money.”

“Government must send out a clear and simple message to claimants involved in the reassessment proves and reassure them being found fit for work is a successful and desirable outcome.”

The report adds: “Government needs to explain that being found ‘fit for work’ does not equate to denial or disbelief about the existence of an illness or health condition: rather the condition is acknowledged but its impact has been assessed as not being so serious as to prevent the person from returning to work at some point in the future.”

In addition, the report said Atos Healthcare, which carries out the assessments, needs to treat claimants properly and improve the quality of assessment.

Too many claimants were found capable of working, but the decisions were later overturned on appeal.

Despite the tough financial climate and pressure on budgets cash must be made available to ensure the right decisions are made first time.

The report comes ahead of new figures today which will show how many people have already been assessed in each region and the numbers deemed fit to return to or look for work with help.