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Written question asked by Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 12 December 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 December 2017 (named day). It was answered by Sarah Newton (Conservative) on Monday, 18 December 2017 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Personal Independence Payment: ME/CFS

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with myalgic encephalomyelitis were assessed for personal independence payments in each of the last five years; and what proportion of those people were found to be eligible for those payments?

Answer

The Department does not record disabling conditions of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants at registration stage. Primary disabling conditions are recorded on the PIP Computer System only for those claimants who undergo a face to face or paper based assessment.

Although Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is not recorded separately, we can provide award and disallowance statistics after assessment for claimants whose primary disability, as recorded on our systems, is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

The table below shows the annual volume of awards and disallowances where the claimant’s primary disabling condition was recorded as CFS and a face to face or paper based assessment took place.

Awarded

Disallowed

Percentage Awarded

2013

130

80

62%

2014

2,200

1,230

64%

2015

3,450

2,470

58%

2016

3,860

2,440

61%

2017*

2,920

1,940

60%

Total

12,560

8,160

61%

Source: PIP Computer System

*2017 figures are to 31st October.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
119031
Session
2017-19
Subjects
ME/CFS Personal independence payment
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk