Benefit delays leave residents struggling financially

Residents are facing waits of up to two years for decisions on some disability benefit claims, with Citizens Advice warning that people are struggling financially while applications are processed.

A report from Citizens Advice Powys, due to go before Newtown Town Council’s Resources Committee next week, says Personal Independence Payment (PIP) applications are currently taking between 18 months and two years to reach a decision.

It says other benefit decisions are also taking several months and warns that the delays are affecting people who may already be unable to work because of health conditions.

Citizens Advice Powys said: “We find that during this period of waiting people are struggling financially, as they may be unable to work due to their health conditions and therefore have reduced income.”

The warning is contained in the latest report on the Newtown Advice Project, covering April to June.

A total of 14 Newtown residents received support through the project during the three-month period, with 11 of them considering themselves disabled.

Cases included four new PIP applications, two mandatory reconsiderations, two UC50 work capability forms, a Disability Living Allowance case, a Discretionary Housing Payment application and other advice issues.

Four clients were successfully awarded a combined £23,285 in ongoing welfare benefit payments during the quarter. Citizens Advice said those awards related to claims which had been started before the reporting period.

Of those receiving help, seven lived in Newtown East, five in Newtown Central and two in Newtown North.

The Newtown Advice Project provides dedicated appointments for residents of the town’s five local authority wards who have urgent advice needs. Citizens Advice checks that people live within Newtown before assessing their case and determining the most appropriate support.

The report also shows the majority of people supported through the scheme received face-to-face advice.

Twelve of the 14 clients, or 86 per cent, were seen in person at the Newtown office. Citizens Advice said this compared with 26 per cent of clients across its overall service.

The project receives £4,500 a year in funding. Citizens Advice estimates that for every £1 invested during 2025/26, £3.69 was saved across government and public services and £10.56 in value was generated for people receiving help.

It also estimates £23.30 in wider economic and social benefits for every £1 invested.

One client quoted in the report had been supported with an application for Child Disability Living Allowance for their son.

They said: “It took 5 months for a decision to be made and it was a real worry wondering if we would get the award.”

The family eventually received a backdated payment of £1,666 and an ongoing annual payment of £5,740.

The client said: “We have been able to afford to buy equipment we need to keep our son safe at home, provide him with sensory things he needs and able to afford the extra costs for days out to keep him safe.”