Disabled benefits claimants are waiting almost half a year on average to be awarded their first payment, with an estimated £300 million of vital funds being held up, according to the latest research.
Working-age claimants are waiting five months for a decision after applying for disability benefits, according to a briefing paper by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). The research institute said this "likely contributes" to the link between disability and deprivation, with disabled people making up nearly half (44%) of the most deprived working-age adults in the UK.
It comes as separate research by Citizens Advice estimates that disabled claimants are waiting for almost £300 million in support because of the delays. The Government was urged to "get a grip" on the backlog, as people increasingly struggle during the cost-of-living crisis.
