Changes to disability payment qualification time welcome – Thomas

Commenting on the news the Coalition Government has accepted a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill to halve the time seriously disabled people will have to wait to be eligible for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) from six months to three months, Member of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Committee on Work and Pensions, Baroness [Celia] Thomas, who tabled the amendment, said:

"I'm pleased that the Coalition Government has done the right thing, listened to concerns expressed by disabled people and the organisations that support them about the hardship that a longer qualifying time would have caused, and accepted my amendment.

"The reasons for keeping the qualification period at three months are compelling. It is enough time to assess a person's condition and needs, and six months is a long time to wait for extra resources, particularly for people who suffer a sudden illness or accident.

"This move will reduce anxiety for those affected and ensure disabled people have the help they need to cope with the extra costs they face in their daily lives."

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