Teesside woman speaks about challenges of accessing disability benefits
We're hearing how many are struggling due to the complex system
We are hearing about the challenges people with disabilities are facing in Teesside to navigate the benefits system.
ONS figures show there's more than half a million disabled people in the North East, the highest proportion in England in 2021.
Caroline Bradley is from Stockton and she has had chronic fatigue for the last 18 years.
She said: "I’ve been dealing with health challenges for many years. It started with chronic fatigue and mobility issues, which have progressively worsened. I can no longer walk long distances, and I rely on support for most of my daily activities. Over time, it became clear that I needed to apply for support through PIP, but that process has been anything but straightforward.
"I only had to apply for Disability Living Allowance twice, although both occasions meant going to a Tribunal hearing, and had one interview for the change-over from D.L.A. to P.I.P. The first time I applied for PIP, my claim was refused, which was incredibly frustrating. I had to go through a tribunal, and while I eventually got the support I needed, the whole process was exhausting. Filling out the forms was complicated, and without guidance, it’s easy to make mistakes or not provide the right information. I’ve had to reapply and appeal multiple times, which takes a toll on your mental health and overall well-being.
"The PIP Helper Tool would be an incredible resource for people like me. If this tool had been around when I first applied, it would have made the process so much easier. It helps people understand what’s needed and how to fill out the forms properly, which can prevent a lot of the stress that comes with being refused and having to appeal. Having access to guidance like this means you don’t have to go through it alone, which would make a huge difference."
Charity Turn2Us say they have developed a new tool to make accessing disability benefits easier.
Why the Turn2us PIP Helper is needed
The charity says nearly 1 in 3 Disabled people in the UK live in poverty, facing substantial additional living costs -on average, £1,010 more per month than non-disabled households.
PIP offers vital support for Disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to help with these additional costs. However, the complex and often overwhelming application process results in £870 million going unclaimed each year due to uncompleted claims or people being eligible for higher payments but not receiving them.
The Turn2us PIP Helper was created to help people overcome these barriers by providing clear guidance through each stage of the PIP process. It simplifies eligibility and likely award checks, improves claim accuracy, and lowers dropout rates by helping users understand and complete applications effectively.
The tool also supports users’ mental well-being with videos and reminders that reduce stigma and isolation, ultimately increasing financial security and closing the income gap for Disabled people in the UK.
Michael Clarke, Head of Information Programmes at Turn2us, says:
"The Turn2us PIP Helper was developed in response to the significant barriers many people face in accessing support. Built over two years with direct input from PIP claimants, this tool addresses those barriers head-on. Health, disability and financial security are deeply connected, and we are committed to helping people access the support they urgently need. Thank you to Royal London for their invaluable support in making the launch of the Turn2us PIP Helper possible.”
Michael Paul, Head of Engagement, Disability Rights UK (DRUK):
“DRUK is proud to be project partners in the creation of the Turn2us PIP Helper. PIP is meant to cover the extra costs associated with a disability or health condition. However, the application process is hugely bureaucratic, as are the two stages of the extremely backlogged appeals process.
“As a result, PIP goes unclaimed by many thousands of Disabled people every year, while thousands more are awarded lower rates than they should be. By sharing the excellent Turn2us PIP Helper as widely as possible, and playing a part in its continuous improvement, we will ensure as many Disabled people as possible can access the appropriate PIP award.”
Stephen Buckley, Head of Information for Mind, said:
“The benefits system should be there for all of us when we need it most. Right now, too many people are having their mental health problems compounded by the very system which should be helping them. PIP can make a huge difference to people's lives, but many find the application process difficult. The length of the form and the language used in it can act as a barrier, particularly for people applying for mental health reasons.
“We’re pleased to have worked with Turn2us to address those issues with this online tool, which we hope will help more people applying for PIP get the support they need. It is also vital that people with lived experience of mental health problems were put at the heart of developing the tool.
"Next year the UK government will introduce broader health and disability policy reforms. We would urge them not to take forward the previous government’s proposals and instead to establish an independent commission led by disabled people to design the future of assessments.”
For more information, visit the Turn2Us website and its PIP helper.