Disabled left waiting up to six months for their benefits

MPs have called for penalties to be invoked against  Atos Healthcare and Capital Business Services for their delays in assessing disabled and sick people's entitlements to Personal Independence Payments (PIPs).

The House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee cited figures showing that 'of the 229,700 claims made up until December 2013 decisions had been made in fewer than 20 per cent of cases'.   The private contractors carry out face-to-face interviews with claimants, which has led to the delays.

Chair of the Committee, Dame Anne Begg, said:

'This not only leaves people facing financial difficulties while they await a decision, but causes severe stress and uncertainty '

As reported in The Independent.