SEVEN hundred people in York have lost a disability benefit since strict new assessments were introduced for a new type of payment.

Government figures show 500 people in York Central and 200 in York Outer who used to get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) do not get its replacement, Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

However, benefit increased for 500 in York Central, was unchanged for 100 and decreased for 200, while it increased for 300 in York Outer, was unchanged for 100 and decreased for 200.

York Central Labour MP Rachael Maskell said the Government announced its intention in 2015 to cut the benefit bill by £12 billion, and the figures ‘clearly showed’ it was trying to achieve this by restricting them to disabled people, adding:”The Government’s own statistics show that nearly half of people who were formerly receiving DLA saw their support fall or stop altogether when they were reassessed for PIP.”

York Outer Tory MP Julian Sturdy ‘welcomed’ news significantly more constituents had received either an increased or unchanged award since the switch to PIP, adding: “PIP ensures support is more targeted and reflects our increased understanding of disability. It’s designed to ensure mental health conditions are given the same recognition as physical ones, which wasn’t the case under DLA.”

The Government said the benefits were different with different assessment criteria, and DLA claimants were not automatically entitled to PIP, but the statistics did not include PIP decisions overturned under mandatory reconsideration or appeal. POP decisions were made on information provided by claimants and their doctor and anyone unhappy could appeal.