Disabled people are “under attack” according to one partially-sighted man whose application for financial assistance from the government is among them hit by delays.
Ashok Pandya, 59, who lives with his partner in Ovesdon Avenue, Rayners Lane, applied for personal independence payment (PIP) - a replacement for disability living allowance - in February but has not yet undergone the mandatory medical assessment, forcing him to dig deep into his own savings just to get by.
Applicants are meant to receive a decision within five months from the Department for Work and Pensions but the former accountant has been caught up in contractor Atos Healthcare’s processing backlog.
Mr Pandya said: “In the last two years I have had to have six operations on both my eyes, and I have sent them all the evidence, and I am still waiting to be assessed.
“I am utterly disgusted.
“When you call them to complain, they are very nice and understanding, but they cannot do anything to help.
“My life is in limbo.”
Mr Pandya sent Atos Healthcare evidence from his social worker, his GP, The Western Eye Hospital, and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, which all confirm he is partially sighted and regularly unable to see much beyond a metre in front of him.
He said: “To be honest I don’t even see why I have to be assessed.
“I know they want to make sure people are not cheating the system, but how much more evidence do they need?
“It is like disabled people are under attack.
“Every day, simple things like just tidying the house is a task because of my vision.
“They have everything, so it is just the waiting and waiting, while taxpayers money is being wasted.
“And then once I am assessed, I will have to wait longer and longer.”
Mr Pandya’s vision has deteriorated significantly since 2007.
An Atos Healthcare said: “We apologise to those who are experiencing delays with their PIP claim.
“The assessment process is taking longer than had been expected.
“We are taking immediate action to reduce delays in our part of the process.
“We are working to extend our network of healthcare partners and we are directly recruiting more staff, both health professionals and administration, to increase capacity.”
The Department for Work and Pensions failed to comment before our deadline.
