Home Canterbury News Article
Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield raises case of sexual assault victim refused PIP benefit at Prime Minister's Questions
16:44, 20 February 2019
updated: 17:42, 20 February 2019
An MP has pressed Theresa May over why a woman left doubly incontinent after a "violent" sexual assault has been refused disability benefits.
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today, Canterbury's Labour MP Rosie Duffield raised the case of a constituent who has been refused personal independent payments, known as PIP.
The allowance, which is worth up to £145 a week, is designed to cover the costs associated with a person's disability.
"I have a constituent who was left doubly incontinent following a serious and very violent sexual assault," she said.
"She previously had a lifetime award of Disability Living Allowance.
"However recent PIP assessments have concluded that she is not entitled to DLA or the mobility components of PIP despite this extremely difficult condition dominating every aspect of her daily life.
"Will the Prime Minister please ask the Secretary of State to look urgently at the Department for Work and Pension's failure to recognise the impact of this very serious condition?"
Last year, KentOnline highlighted the case of a young woman from Canterbury with Crohn's disease, who also learned her disability benefits were being cut just days after having her bowel and rectum removed.
The controversial assessment system for the benefit has come under widespread criticism, and 72% of refused claimants who take their case to tribunal are successful.
Ms Duffield's question prompted expressions of shock from other MPs.
However, the Prime Minister replied by saying that she would not comment on an individual case, but that she would "ensure that the Department for Work and Pensions and the relevant minister looks at that case".
Latest news
Features
Most popular
- 1
‘Plumbers charged my elderly relatives £8,560 but settled on £765 when challenged’
22 - 2
Video captures panic as fireworks display goes wrong and ‘boy’s face burnt’
11 - 3
Kent pub 'surrounded by sheep' named one of UK's best to visit in autumn
3 - 4
Family-run garage closes for final time after 92 years of trade
5 - 5
‘I’d much rather have a full restaurant than Michelin stars’
5