Young people aged 16 to 24 with complex disabilities that hinder their ability to secure paid employment should receive fast-track access to disability benefits, according to a forthcoming review by Alan Milburn, the former Labour health secretary. This review aims to address the challenges faced by those with severe lifelong needs, advocating for guaranteed, swift, and unconditional support without the need for repeated assessments.
Current Challenges
Currently, many disabled youths and their families endure lengthy and often distressing assessments to access personal independence payment (PIP) and universal credit health benefits. The proposed guarantee would apply to individuals with profound and multiple learning disabilities, severe neurological conditions, and those qualifying for NHS continuing healthcare support.
Milburn's review, expected to be released in October, emphasizes that there should be no need for repeated assessments for this vulnerable group. Young adults should not have to continuously prove their lifelong conditions, which are often diagnosed at birth or in early childhood.
““I’ve heard too many stories of young people with the most severe disabilities left waiting, worrying and fighting for the support they’re entitled to,” Milburn stated. “Too often they’re having to battle through dehumanising tick-box assessments designed to catch people out, not care for them.”
