As many as 13,000 benefit claimants could be entitled to thousands of pounds in compensation (Image: Getty)
Up to 13,000 benefit claimants may be entitled to thousands of pounds in compensation after they were moved from legacy benefits to universal credit.
The has settled a major court claim which has resulted in 200 claimants being awarded between £200 and £3,000 in damages.
The claimants were receiving disability benefits when they were moved to before September 2019.
[REPORT]
Some claimants lost severe disability premiums or (SDP) when they were moved while some missed out on the Enhanced Disability Premium (EDP) which meant they lsost an income of £180 a month.
has reported that the ‘SDP gateway’ was only implemented after a successful High Court battle by law firm Leigh Day on behalf of two benefit claimants who lost income in 2019.
The Independent said it was the same firm that has now settled similar cases for 275 claimants with the .
Payments estimated to be in excess of £5,000 – these are the non-financial element of the claim – and are for thje compensation being for the stress and injury to feelings claimants had suffered.
Don’t miss…
Ryan Bradshaw, who represented the claimants, told the Independent that 13,000 benefit claimants could be entitled to financial compensation.
Mr Bradshaw said: “I am glad to have settled this claim on behalf of my clients. However, there are thousands of others who have been similarly affected who have not been in a position to bring a claim like this.
He said one of his clients, Philippa, 39, from Chesterfield, sufferedfrom chronic autoimmune condition fibromyalgia which causes pain throughout her body, dehydrated discs in her spine, and brain fog.
The loss of payments made her health issues worse and she was unable to afford essentials.
Speaking about the ruling, Philippa said: “When you’re on benefits, you don’t feel secure. Every day you wait for the little brown envelope.
“The compensation has meant the difference between being able to access prepared meals which cover my nutritional needs, versus buying the cheapest ready meals which are not nutritionally balanced enough.
A Spokesperson said: “Following this ruling the department has begun the process of compensating affected claimants.”