There’s a lot of noise about disability benefit cuts and whether we’ll be worse off. The government keeps saying they’re trying to reduce spending, but let’s be real—one of the biggest ways they could cut costs is by sorting out the mess they’ve created. The amount of money wasted on unnecessary reassessments alone is staggering.
Even if you have a degenerative condition or disabilities that aren’t going to magically improve, you’re still expected to go through endless reassessments. Why? Because private companies get paid per assessment. That’s why they deny so many valid claims—it’s all about profit, not people.
There’s talk now about reducing reassessments, which honestly, would be a massive win. The current system isn’t just stressful; it actively harms people’s health. How is that supposed to help anyone get better?
Mental Health, Invisible Disabilities & Systemic Discrimination
If you have a mental health condition or a fluctuating disability, you already know the system is stacked against you. It’s not just flawed—it’s outright abusive.
When I first applied for PIP in 2022, Citizens Advice told me straight up that my situation at the time amounted to modern-day slavery. They considered me a vulnerable adult, yet my claim was denied at both the initial stage and Mandatory Reconsideration (MR).
I was told to appeal, but I was too unwell to fight. The DWP was fully aware of the risks I was facing. I told them what could happen if I didn’t get support. And guess what? It happened. My situation spiralled, my recovery was set back even further, and I was left to pick up the pieces.
Applying Again: Nothing’s Changed
Fast forward to 2024. I applied again—this time with loads of medical evidence from the NHS and charities that specialise in my conditions. I also had an Income Maximisation advisor from the council helping me with the forms. And do you know what they told me?
“Don’t submit too much evidence upfront—the DWP discriminates against mental health cases as standard practice.”
Read that again. A professional whose job is to help people access benefits literally told me the system is rigged.
Even at the MR stage, I was advised to hold back evidence for the tribunal because the DWP ignores mental health evidence early on.
I thought, “That’s ridiculous. Surely, if I just provide everything up front, they’ll see the truth.”
So, I did exactly that.
- Filled out the forms honestly
- Sent all my medical evidence
- Expected a fair decision
And guess what? I was denied. Again.
The DWP’s Game: Deny, Delay, Discourage
I asked my advisor why no one has ever sued the DWP for disability discrimination. Because let’s be clear—they don’t just discriminate against mental health.
They do the same to people with cancer, MS, Parkinson’s, incontinence, and countless other conditions.
Their strategy is simple:
- Deny valid claims—because many people will be too unwell or exhausted to appeal
- Force claimants into lengthy fights—knowing some won’t survive the process
- Save money by breaking the law—because they know tribunals will correct their decisions, but only if you make it that far
The Complaint That Proved the Point
After my claim was rejected, I submitted a complaint to HAAS (Health Assessment Advisory Service) about how my assessment was handled. I challenged the way the assessor completely ignored key evidence, misrepresented my condition, and overlooked my psychiatric assistance dog, which is crucial for my safety.
To my surprise, HAAS actually responded—and admitted fault. They apologised, and as a result of the complaint, they awarded me points on a major descriptor they had previously ignored.
Sounds like a victory, right? Not quite.
Even after admitting their mistake, they still didn’t award the correct number of points overall. It was damage control, not justice.
If they can acknowledge that they got something seriously wrong, why not actually fix the decision properly?
It just proves what we already know:
- The assessment process is NOT designed to be fair
- They only correct mistakes when you push back—but even then, not fully
- If I hadn’t complained, they would’ve happily let the original flawed decision stand
So, how many thousands of people are being denied what they’re entitled to, simply because they don’t have the energy, knowledge, or support to fight back?
What the Government Says vs. Reality
In Parliament, DWP Minister Sir Stephen Timms was asked about fixing assessment delays. His response?
“The focus should be on making the right decision rather than a speedy one.”
What a joke.
If that was true, then why…
- Do DWP insiders and council advisors openly admit the system is designed to fail people?
- Are hundreds of thousands of valid claims denied—only to be overturned at tribunal?
- Are back payments of £10,000+ regularly awarded to people who should never have been denied in the first place?
The Assessment Process is a Sham
When I challenged my MR decision, I found out that my assessor had reviewed hundreds of pages of evidence in less than three weeks—yet somehow decided I should get zero points.
Even a DWP manager admitted that wasn’t right.
They also completely ignored my psychiatric assistance dog, despite the fact that my disability means I can’t engage with others or leave the house safely without her.
How is that a fair process?
What Needs to Change?
I welcome these changes:
- Online submissions (finally, it’s 2024…)
- Reducing pointless reassessments
- Better training for assessors (because they clearly don’t understand disabilities)
But these must be part of the deal too:
- No more discrimination against mental health & invisible disabilities
- Fair and transparent assessments
- Legal accountability when they cause harm
Final Thoughts
If you’re fighting for PIP or any other benefit, I see you. I know how soul-destroying it is. I know how it feels to be gaslit, ignored, and treated like a liar.
I also know that change won’t happen unless we demand it.
We shouldn’t have to fight for our basic rights. We shouldn’t have to jump through impossible hoops just to get the help we need.
And we won’t stop speaking up until things change.
With love.
Karmic Rebelle