The number of people claiming disability benefits because of food intolerances has skyrocketed by 500% in the past five years. A former MP has the government saying that the public is being ripped off. Around 20 illnesses have seen claims for personal independence payments double since 2021, including ones for sleep apnoea, bed-wetting and stress reactions to disorders.
However, former Tory minister Sir Alec Shelbrook has criticised benefit claims for food intolerances, raging that allergies do not stop individuals from going to work.
He said: “People with no legitimate claim are ripping off the public, and the Government is letting them do so.”
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are under scrutiny as Britain’s surging annual welfare bill of £333billion has exceeded Treasury revenues from income tax for the first time, reports the Sun.
The benefit is a tax-free one designed to help with extra living costs for those who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks or get around.
Those suffering from food intolerance can receive up to £114.60 a week due to the amount of time it takes to prepare meals based on a specialist GP-recommended diet.
In 2021, only 12 people received welfare support for food allergies. However, the count is at 78, which costs £1,000 a day.
While ADHD, autism, and anxiety are some of the leading triggers for payments, 4,500 people are currently on PIP for being obese.
The DWP spokesperson said: “These claims, which represent a small proportion of PIP, started increasing several years ago.
“We are fixing the broken system we inherited, delivering more personalised support to help people into work, and bringing in reforms to save nearly £2bn this parliament.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
