Hundreds of Bolton teenagers were stripped of disability benefits in Bolton over the last decade after turning 16, despite receiving them in childhood. 

Children entitled to benefits can have a range of conditions, including young people with incurable and life-changing conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, deafness and blindness.  

From April 2013 to October 2024, 637 claims were rejected as the teenagers moved from Child Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP)  out of 2099.

A total of 71 per cent of these claims were rejected because applicants failed the points-based PIP assessment. 

The figures echo the national picture, between April 2013 and October 2024, about 423,000 initial claims for PIP from recipients of Child DLA were decided on by the DWP, 70 per cent of which were allowed and one per cent of which were withdrawn.

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Recently, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the current benefits system “unsustainable, indefensible and unfair”.

His comments, which also saw him refer to the system as “the worst of all worlds”, come as Work and Pensions secretary Liz Kendal prepares to announce widespread changes and cuts to the benefits bill.

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James Taylor, executive director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, said: “It’s worrying that such a big number of young disabled people are losing out on financial support as they reach adulthood.

“Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled, and benefits like DLA and PIP are an absolute lifeline to help cover those extra costs.

“We know disabled households face hundreds of pounds in extra costs every month. The costs range from things such as equipment, extra support at home and getting out and about, to needing taxis because public transport isn’t suitable.

"Our benefits system is incredibly complex, adversarial and difficult to navigate, so we know the transition from DLA to PIP can be challenging and stressful.

“The new government needs to look into the real reasons behind these figures, and work with disabled people to fix our broken welfare system.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson, said: “We have been clear that the current welfare system needs reform.

“Building on our Get Britain Working White Paper, we will bring forward proposals for reforming the health and disability benefits system within weeks, so that it provides children, young adults and their families with the support they need in a way that’s fair on the taxpayer, and helps those who can work secure employment.”

A Royal National Institute for Blind People spokesperson said: “Being refused a PIP application can have a major impact on blind and partially sighted claimants, but particularly at a time in someone’s life where adjustments to adulthood and beginning to explore living life more independently are happening.

“People with sight loss face additional, unavoidable costs like taxi journeys, assistive technology and support in the home. These extra costs average between £65 and £174 per week for someone with sight loss.

“These extra costs are what disability benefits like PIP are there to cover so it’s vital people get the financial support they’re entitled to.

 “The criteria for DLA and PIP assessment are different which may account for some people losing out on transition. However, a huge number of decisions are also incorrect and will be changed through challenge. 

“Nearly half of all PIP claims are refused as it is and around seven out of ten of these are turned around on appeal. With representation from RNIB, the figure rises to more than 96 per cent.

“So we would encourage anyone who feels they have been wrongly turned down or awarded less than they are eligible for, to contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999, or email helpline@rnib.or."