A Labour MP has told how his constituent died after a cruel benefit assessment denied him the money he was entitled to.

Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent, spoke in the House of Commons about Geoffrey Elwell whose benefits had been denied after he was moved over to the government's new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system.

Mr Elwell was entitled to claim both the higher higher rate mobility payment and the standard rate for care due to his health needs under disability living allowance

But when he was moved over to PIP in October 2016 an assessor awarded Mr Elwell zero points meaning he was not eligible for any money despite his previous qualification.

In January 2017 he appealed that decision Six months later on 21st June he passed away still without his appeal being heard.

By the time Mr Elwell's appeal had been heard he had already passed away.

Two days after he died the appeal awarded him posthumously higher rate for both elements and backdated it to January.

Speaking about the heartbreaking case at PMQs Mr Snell said: "Could I ask the Prime Minister therefore what message she would like me to take back to Jeffrey's partner Carol about the way that this government treated Jeffrey at the time when he needed help, compassion and support most?"

The prime minister passed on her condolence's to Mr Elwell's partner but she continued to defended the policy.

"We are working to ensure that there is a greater consistency in the judgements that are originally given on those PIP assessments

"We've introduced PIP in order to ensure that we are able to focus payments on those who are most vulnerable."
Hundreds of thousands of disabled people have been denied PIP (
Image:
PA)

PIP hands 1.5million people with conditions like multiple sclerosis, cancer and dementia £22 to £83 a week to help pay for everyday costs.

But hundreds of thousands of people have been denied the benefit as it replaces the previous Disability Living Allowance.

Before they can appeal to a tribunal, claimants must launch a lengthy internal review called a Mandatory Reconsideration.

Success rates for those internal reviews are much lower at 17% and campaigners say they should be scrapped because they leave people in limbo.

A record 14,077 people won appeals to get PIP, worth £22 to £83 a week, after it was blocked to them by the government in just three months to June.