The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a formal response after more than 15,000 people backed a petition calling for Type 1 Diabetes to be recognised within Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment rules.
The petition, launched by Emily Jones on the Parliament website, has attracted 15,245 signatures, passing the threshold that requires the Government to provide an official response.
Campaigners are urging Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden to reconsider how people living with Type 1 Diabetes are assessed for the benefit, arguing the condition is not adequately reflected within the current system.
Personal Independence Payment is a tax-free benefit designed to help working-age adults with the additional costs associated with long-term health conditions or disabilities.
The benefit is not means-tested, meaning eligibility is not affected by an individual's income or savings.
Payments are made every four weeks and are intended to help people meet costs linked to daily living activities and mobility needs.
The amount a claimant receives depends on how their condition affects their ability to carry out everyday tasks rather than the condition itself.
Current awards range from £121.20 to £778.40 over a four-week payment period, depending on the level of support required.
In the petition, Ms Jones argues that people living with Type 1 Diabetes rarely qualify for PIP despite managing what she describes as a "dangerous condition 24 hours a day".
She said managing the condition requires constant blood glucose monitoring, regular insulin adjustments and careful planning around meals, exercise and stress levels.
The petition also states that balancing these responsibilities alongside full-time employment can result in significant physical exhaustion and mental burnout.
Campaigners believe a lack of understanding about the condition may be influencing assessment outcomes and are calling for PIP to help cover the cost of diabetes technology that is not routinely funded by the NHS, as well as providing support for individuals who need to reduce their working hours.
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Responding to the petition, the DWP said eligibility for PIP is determined by the impact a health condition or disability has on a person's daily functioning, rather than by a diagnosis alone.
The department said people can experience the same condition in very different ways and that the assessment process is therefore designed to consider the practical effects on an individual's everyday life.
Assessors examine whether claimants can complete a range of activities, including preparing food, dressing, managing money, monitoring their health, engaging with other people and planning and following journeys.
The DWP said the assessment criteria were developed in consultation with health professionals, disability specialists and disabled people to ensure they appropriately capture needs arising from physical, sensory, cognitive and mental health conditions.
The petition remains open for signatures and, should it reach 100,000 supporters, it will be considered for a debate in Parliament, potentially prompting further discussion about whether changes to the PIP assessment framework are required.
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