Charities slam 'cruel' back to work tests for terminally ill cancer patients

Terminally ill cancer patients and people undergoing chemotherapy are being threatened with benefit cuts if they do not attend back-to-work interviews, warn Macmillan Cancer Support and Citizens Advice.

A new report by the two charities has found the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) process is failing seriously ill and disabled people, despite assurances from the government that they would be safeguarded from the system.

It has even found that some terminally ill people are dying before getting the financial support they need.

ESA was introduced in October 2008 to encourage ‘job ready' people to return to work, but findings from the report, 'Failed by the system', show:

• Terminally ill cancer patients, and people receiving non-oral chemotherapy, are being required to undergo medical examinations and attend work-focused interviews, when they should be automatically exempt from both;
• People undergoing, or recovering from radiotherapy and inpatients are being refused ESA when they should automatically qualify;
• Cancer patients suffering from the long-term effects of cancer or its treatment are failing the medical assessment and being refused ESA.

According to the report, poor knowledge of ESA rules among Jobcentre Plus and Department for Work and Pensions medical staff, inadequate administration systems and a lack of understanding about cancer and the effects of treatment, is resulting in ESA claims being incorrectly handled.

Mike Hobday, head of campaigns at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "It's cruel and completely unacceptable that people who are terminally ill or going through gruelling treatment are being made to jump through hoops to get money they should receive automatically.

"The safeguards to protect cancer patients clearly aren't working, and the ESA system is riddled with problems. The DWP must address these issues without delay to make sure people living with cancer are spared unnecessary distress and financial hardship."