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As many as 13,000 profit claimants might be entitled to 1000’s of kilos in compensation because the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) settles a significant courtroom declare.
Over 200 claimants have been awarded between £200 and £3,000 in damages for dropping out on revenue after being moved on to common credit score.
These have been individuals receiving sure incapacity advantages who have been moved from ‘legacy benefits’ to common credit score earlier than September 2019. The claimants misplaced ‘severe disability premiums’ (SDP) within the transfer, with the DWP not initially introducing a scheme to make sure revenue safety.
Others missed out on the ‘Enhanced Disability Premium’ (EDP) within the transfer on to common credit score, with the overall lack of revenue value as much as £180 a month.
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The monetary settlement follows a High Court ruling in 2019 (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Archive)
The ‘SDP gateway’ was solely carried out after a profitable High Court battle by regulation agency Leigh Day on behalf of two profit claimants who misplaced revenue in 2019. It is similar agency that has now settled comparable circumstances for 275 claimants with the DWP.
The division has now arrange a lawful compensation scheme to repay these claimants, with funds estimated to be in extra of £5,000. It is the non-financial ingredient of the declare that has been settled, with compensation being for the stress and damage to emotions claimants had suffered.
However, Ryan Bradshaw, who represented all of the claimants in each circumstances, says that as many as 13,000 profit claimants might be entitled to monetary compensation.
Mr Bradshaw mentioned: “I am glad to have settled this claim on behalf of my clients. However, there are thousands of others who have been similarly affected who have not been in a position to bring a claim like this.
“They too will have suffered unnecessary stress. A suitable scheme, compensating all the people who have endured discrimination at the hands of the DWP, ought to be urgently put in place. The mistakes made here should never be repeated.”
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Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire)
One of his shoppers, Philippa, 39, from Chesterfield, suffers from persistent autoimmune situation fibromyalgia which causes ache all through her physique, dehydrated discs in her backbone, and mind fog.
She says the lack of DWP funds worsened her well being points and left her struggling to afford the necessities. It was solely two years after interesting her advantages that she would attain a tribunal and have some transitional safety reinstated.
Speaking in regards to the ruling, Philippa mentioned: “When you’re on benefits, you don’t feel secure. Every day you wait for the little brown envelope.
“The compensation has meant the difference between being able to access prepared meals which cover my nutritional needs, versus buying the cheapest ready meals which are not nutritionally balanced enough.
A DWP Spokesperson said: “Following this ruling the department has begun the process of compensating affected claimants.”
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