The DWP has issued a statement after settling a major court claim which could see thousands of benefits claimants receive a payout of up to £5,000 in compensation
After a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) court ruling, thousands of benefit claimants could be in line for pay-outs exceeding £5,000.
As many as 13,000 people might receive compensation payments up to £5,000 following the DWP’s settlement of a significant court case. The settlement was made on behalf of disability benefits claimants, with up to 13,000 potentially entitled to substantial sums.
Over 200 claimants have already received between £200 and £3,000 in damages for income lost after being switched to universal credit before January 2019. These claimants were deprived of “Severe Disability Premiums” (SDP) when they transitioned to Universal Credit, prior to the DWP implementing the SDP Gateway scheme, which now prevents such losses.
Some also missed out on “Enhanced Disability Premium” (EDP), resulting in a monthly income reduction of up to £180. Philippa, a 39-year-old from Chesterfield who has faced career interruptions due to conditions like fibromyalgia and dehydrated discs in her spine, shared her ordeal with losing DWP payments.
She was an SDP and EDP recipient but was transferred to universal credit in December 2018. Philippa found she was only getting transitional protection for SDP and nothing for EDP, leading to a monthly shortfall of £184.21 in her finances, reports Birmingham Live.
The loss of income meant that Philippa could no longer afford meals that met her nutritional needs. She had to resort to the cheapest ready meals, which led to a vitamin D deficiency that exacerbated her autoimmune disease.
In spring 2019, her doctor advised her to start taking iron and vitamin D tablets. At that time, she was forced to use her credit card for bills, hoping to pay it off the following month.
After appealing her benefits for two years, it finally reached the tribunal. Consequently, she now receives Personal Independence Payments and has been reinstated on legacy benefits as well as Universal Credit. Despite the cost of living still being a challenge, she says she now receives enough to cover rent and council tax.
