Originally posted on alittleecon:
Via the Vox Political blog,
I learn that it was admitted yesterday by the DWP that there was a
backlog of 700,000 assessments for ESA claims. ESA is Employment and
Support Allowance, a sickness benefit for those unable to work. 400,000
of the 700,000 backlog are new claims – that is people who feel they are
too sick to work have lodged a claim for ESA, but have not had their
claim assessed. While they wait, they have to make do with a lower level
of benefit. The longer they have to wait to be assessed, the more
anxious they are likely to become, risking exacerbating their health
problems. The risk of falling into serious hardship also increases the
longer they have to wait. The remaining 300,000 will be existing ESA
claimants awaiting re-assessment of their claims. Any delay there brings
with it the stress and worry of not knowing…
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