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At least 100 mental health benefit claimants sanctioned a day
People with mental health problems are having their benefits sanctioned at a rate of at least 100 a day – more than claimants with any other conditions, according to research.
In March last year – the last month for which data is available – about 4,500 people with mental health problems on Employment and Support Allowance were sanctioned. The 100 a day figure was an average from data stretching back to January 2009 and took into account overturned decisions, which the 4,500 figure does not.
These are the findings of the Methodist Church from data obtained through Freedom of Information Requests to the Department for Work and Pensions, released last night.
DWP records also revealed the most common reason for being sanctioned is a person has been late or not turned up for a work programme appointment.
Paul Morrison, public issues policy adviser for the Methodist Church, said: ‘Sanctioning someone with a mental health problem for being late for a meeting is like sanctioning someone with a broken leg for limping.
‘The fact that this system punishes people for the symptoms of their illness is a clear and worrying sign that it is fundamentally flawed.’
The government’s £5bn Work Programme was set up 2011 to get people far from the job market into work, but has continually been cited as a failure. Homelessness charities and housing associations have been among those who have abandoned it.
The Methodist Church believes the number of people with mental health problems who have their benefit stopped due to being sanctioned was a great deal higher than 100 a day, Mr Morrison added.
Paul Farmer, chief executive of mental health charity Mind, said: ‘Sanctions are based on a false assumption that individuals lack motivation and willingness to work, but it’s the impact of their illness and the environment in which they are expected to work which actually present the toughest challenges.’
The figures will feature in a report on sanctions to be released in the summer by major churches, including the Methodist Church, Church of Scotland and Church in Wales.
People on the disability benefit Employment and Support Allowance, who it is considered could move into employment with support, can have their benefits sanctioned – stopped for a period of time – if a decision is made they are not complying with the conditions of the benefit.
See the Methodists Church’s infographics on its findings here.
