Disabled people who rely on PIP face ‘constant fear’ that physical activity could see them lose their benefits

Disabled people have spoken in a new report of their “constant fear” and worry that being physically active could put their disability benefits at risk.

The report reveals how the fear of losing personal independence payment (PIP) is preventing many disabled people from carrying out physical activity.

The research, led by Disability Rights UK (DR UK) and Durham University, also found that the concerns had grown since a previous report was published eight years ago.

The new report, Dismantling the Activity Trap, calls for urgent reform of the “dysfunctional, discriminatory and damaging” social security system.

The researchers heard from more than 200 disabled people.

Four-fifths (80 per cent) of them were worried that being physically active could put their benefits at risk, while the same proportion wanted to do more physical activity.

And more than one in four (28 per cent) reported having benefits declined or removed because of being physically active.

The concerns have grown since a report by the disability sports organisation Activity Alliance in 2018, which found that nearly half (47 per cent) of those surveyed feared losing their benefits if they took more exercise.

One of the disabled people who took part in the new research said: “I’ve got a constant fear when I go out in the morning of somebody coming up and saying you’ve got PIP, how are you able to do these things?”

Another said: “I would love to go to the gym, every day, but I don’t dare because I would be seen as being too physically fit… I’m worried I’ll lose my benefits.”

The report says that assessors working on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are using physical activity by claimants to justify removing their PIP, even though the law says people should only be seen as being able to do an activity if they can do it “reliably”, “repeatedly”, “safely” and “within a reasonable time frame”.

The report says: “We found several examples of people losing benefits for having done some form of physical activity, even if they couldn’t reliably or safely do it often.

“This discourages Disabled people from being physically active, depriving them of the benefits of physical activity for their health, quality of life and ability to find meaningful ways to take part in society.”

Among its recommendations, the report calls on the government to work with disabled people’s organisations to redesign the social security system and reduce its bias and harm; to make applications, assessments and appeals more supportive, accessible and transparent; and to ensure PIP decisions are informed by a better understanding of fluctuating conditions and impairments.

It also wants training for assessors and DWP decision-makers to “understand and respect Disabled lives and needs”; and the government to create a national advocacy service to ensure claimants can secure impartial advice and support.

The report’s recommendations have been endorsed by the user-led Commission on Social Security.

Laura Horton, head of Get Yourself Active at DR UK, said: “Disabled people should not fear taking part in physical activity, in a society where government and the NHS regularly promote the importance of keeping active for maintaining our health and wellbeing.

“Government departments concerned with sport and health should uphold the rights of disabled people to stay active and provide guidance on how this should be done.

“DWP should ensure that assessment processes don’t discriminate against disabled people who are trying to stay active.”

Dr Toni Williams, associate professor at Durham University, who led the research, said: “Our research found that many disabled people want to be more physically active, but they’re afraid of losing vital financial support if they do.

“The social security system needs to change and support disabled people to be active for health, wellbeing and enjoyment, not discourage it.

“Our co-produced policy recommendations provide this path forward.”

The publication comes only a few weeks before the government is due to publish the final report of the Timms Review of PIP.

The Dismantling the Activity Trap report’s findings have contributed to a series of roundtable discussions involving government officials and policymakers, and evidence from the study has been discussed with Sir Stephen Timms, the minister for social security and disability, who is leading the Timms Review.

A DWP spokesperson said: “As the Timms Review’s interim report made clear, PIP is no longer fit for purpose.

“The Milburn and Timms Reviews, due in the autumn, will lay the foundation for sustainable reform, and we will not pre-empt their findings.”