Disability Charity Temporarily Suspends Service Due to Surging Demand

A long-standing disability charity has announced the “difficult decision” to temporarily halt one of its services as it endeavors to manage an overwhelming increase in demand. Disability Huntingdonshire (DISH) has ceased assisting parents with the completion of claims forms for Disability Living Allowance, a benefit intended for children under 16. Tracy Hyland, the chief executive officer, reported that the self-funding charity supported nearly 600 individuals last year. However, it is on track to assist over 1,000 people this year through its various services. She attributed the significant rise in demand to factors such as the Covid pandemic, followed by the cost of living crisis, and “a lack of access to health services for people with mental or physical health.” She stated, “It’s really important for them to be able to access preventative care and the longer it is left, the more stress it puts on them and the people who support them.” DISH has been operational since 1991, offering benefits advice, guidance, and support to disabled individuals and their carers across Huntingdonshire, South Cambridgeshire, Fenland, and Cambridge. Ms. Hyland mentioned that her “amazing staff” work part-time and have struggled in recent months to cope with demand, which has “risen exponentially.” She explained, “So some difficult decisions have had to be made and unfortunately suspension of one element of the service was something we didn’t want to do, but we’ve got to protect my staff and resources going forward.” She further added, “And it just never stops. Since 2022 we have been inundated week-in, week out. We used to have quieter periods like August, but that’s not been the case.” The charity relies entirely on grants and donations, providing its support free of charge to clients. Completing benefit applications can take staff between 20 and 30 hours. Additionally, the charity’s operational costs, including insurance and rent, have increased. Ms. Hyland clarified, “We had to support the people that make up the main body of our work, which is people making PIP [Personal Independence Payment] claims and a lot of older people claiming Attendance Allowance.” The organization plans to review this decision in March.