IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Money and Mental Health response to new government consultation on PIP

29 April 2024

Today, the Department for Work and Pensions has announced it’s publishing a new consultation on reforming health and disability benefits. The consultation is proposing changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) – a benefit which people with disabilities and long-term ill-health can claim to help cover the extra costs associated with their disability. 

The media has reported that proposed changes could include replacing regular payments with one-off grants or vouchers for large expenditures like home improvements.

Responding to the report, Helen Undy, Chief Executive of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said: “PIP is an absolute lifeline for thousands of people with mental health problems. When you’re struggling with your mental health, even the basics can be more than you can manage. In that situation, the financial support that people receive through PIP can make the difference between having a clean and habitable home, and a phone to call your crisis team, or living in disarray and increasing isolation.”

“The government is right to recognise that the number of people claiming PIP for mental health reasons is increasing. But the way to solve that isn’t to take away vital support, it’s to focus on getting people the right treatment and support to reduce the number experiencing these issues in the first place.”

“Any proposal that suggests people with mental health problems deserve less support than those with physical health problems is ripping up progress made over the last few decades, and fails to focus on the rational decisions that will save lives and bring down the long term NHS and benefit bill.”

ENDS

Contact:

To set up an interview or for any other media enquiries, please contact Rachel Fergusson, External Affairs Officer at Money and Mental Health, on 07935 216 804 or [email protected]

Notes to Editors

About the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute

The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute is an independent charity set up by Martin Lewis, and committed to breaking the link between financial difficulty and mental health problems. We conduct research, develop practical policy solutions and work in partnership with both those providing services and those using them to find what really works. www.moneyandmentalhealth.org