LISTEN NOW: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0kry2wb

This morning, Fightback’s founder, Michelle, appeared on BBC Radio Surrey to discuss the alarming number of 16-year-olds losing their disability benefits during the transition from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

As part of the Danny Pike breakfast show, Michelle joined a discussion featuring various individuals who have experienced this issue firsthand. The segment explored the impact of the transition on young people, shedding light on the challenges they face when navigating the complex PIP assessment process.

Michelle passionately expressed her concerns about the difficulties young people encounter when completing the PIP application. She emphasised that at 16 years old, many may struggle to fully understand the intricate questions required for eligibility. As a potential solution, she suggested raising the transition age to 18, allowing young individuals more time to develop the necessary comprehension and independence to complete the process effectively.

Danny Pike also engaged with young people affected by these changes, providing them with a platform to share their personal experiences. The discussion aimed to bring awareness to this growing issue and advocate for a fairer approach to disability benefit transitions.

For those interested in listening to the segment, you can catch up on BBC Sounds by following the link provided. To hear Michelle’s contribution, skip to 3 hours and 10 minutes into the show.

We encourage you to take a few minutes to listen and learn more about this crucial issue affecting young people with disabilities.