End undignified reassessments for amputees

Amputee veterans are currently required to undergo frequent health and capability tests to receive the welfare support they are entitled to. 

This causes unnecessary strain, burden and disruption for veterans with lifelong and clearly non-recoverable disablements. We're calling on the UK Government to end this practice.

Why does this need to change?

Despite the irreversible nature of amputation, this does not automatically entitle an amputee recipient of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) to an ‘indefinite award’ (reviewed every 10 years). The result of this is a requirement to re-explain their situation and repeatedly undergo physical tasks every two years, to continue to qualify for this support.

Similarly, when applying for Universal Credit (UC) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), even when given a limited capability for work (LCW) or limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) status, amputees are required to be reassessed at an interval of the assessor’s discretion, normally every two years.

This has, in many cases, led to the absurd and undignified situation where amputees must continually re-prove their disablement. We believe that full or partial limb amputees should automatically be granted PIP awards indefinitely, and that amputation should be added to the criteria for ‘severe conditions’ where reassessment is not appropriate for UC and ESA. 

Doing so would reduce the disruption caused to claimants who must continue to re-evidence their disablement, and free up resources that could be better focused elsewhere.

Get involved in this campaign

To help us with this campaign, we are looking for accounts from amputee veterans who have had a negative experience of navigating the disability benefits system, including going through reassessments.

If you would like to share your experience or want more information on this campaign, please contact our Senior Public Affairs and Policy Manager Ted Arnold at ted.arnold@helpforheroes.org.uk