Social Security Experience Panels: Employment Injury Assistance

Application

There was mixed feedback about applying for an Industrial Injuries Scheme benefit through DWP. The majority of participants found it easy to apply. Some said it had been difficult or very difficult. Some said they couldn’t remember.

One respondent said the application form wasn’t difficult but took a long time to fill in. However, another said that they had found the questions difficult.

Another stated that they felt they had to provide a lot of information about their injury during their application.

Respondents’ preferred way to apply for an Industrial Injuries Scheme Benefit was online. The second preferred option was to apply in person, followed by paper application.

Only two respondents said they had received ongoing help with their application. One respondent said it hadn’t been easy to access support and advice when they applied.

Respondents provided mixed feedback on their experience of the application process overall.

A couple said the process was straightforward. Others were less favourable. One said they found the process difficult, especially the medical assessment which they felt didn’t reflect their circumstances.

Quote from panel member:

“It all seemed so difficult. Filling in boxes with as much information [as possible] then assessment [which] consisted of bend, stretch and refused [the payment] because you could do this, but lost job, career due to disability which became permanent and progressive. There was no recognition of this by assessor.”

One respondent felt the process had lots of “obstacles” which aimed to put off people from making applications.