Rape victim with PTSD denied benefits for ‘not demonstrating symptoms’

A rape victim who suffers with post traumatic stress disorder has been denied benefits for “not demonstrating symptoms” at the time of her claim assessment.

Labour MP Wes Streeting raised the case at Prime Minister’s Questions, telling MPs he saw examples such as this “week in, week out” at his constituency surgery.

The Ilford North MP demanded a meeting with the Work and Pensions Secretary and called for an end to the Government’s “cruel and inhumane” welfare policies.

He said: “Until she was raped at the age of 18 my constituent led a healthy and happy life. Since then she’s suffered severe post traumatic stress disorder, seizures and blackouts, panic attacks, anxiety and depression, heavily reliant on her mother’s care.

“The Department for Work and Pensions has refused to award her the enhanced rate of personal independence payment on the basis that when she presented herself for her assessment she wasn’t demonstrating these particular symptoms at the time.

“As a result her mother is unable to claim income support and carers allowance, placing financial hardship on top of severe emotional distress.”

Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, who was responding at PMQs on behalf of Theresa May, said he would raise the case with Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey.

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