2,000 claim benefits for alcohol and drugs addictions

Almost 2,000 people in Staffordshire and the Black Country are claiming benefits because their addiction to drugs and alcohol means they cannot work.

New figures from the Government reveal 1,600 people in the region received incapacity benefit or employment support allowance for their addictions at the end of last year.

A further 370 people were considered disabled because of their drug or alcohol addiction and are given a disability living allowance accordingly.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said today figures showed there had to be a change to the welfare system.

Sandwell had the highest rate, with 400 people claiming incapacity benefits or employment support allowance – 270 for alcohol and 130 for drugs.

In Wolverhampton, the figure was slightly lower at 390. Of these 230 people claimed due to alcohol and 160 because of drugs.

While in Walsall, a total of 340 people received the benefits – 190 for alcohol and 150 for drugs. In Dudley 310 people claimed for the support – 210 for alcohol and 100 for drugs.

In Cannock, 110 claimed – 60 for alcohol and 50 for drugs. In South Staffordshire 50 claimed – 30 for alcohol and 20 for drugs.

Almost 40,000 people across the country claim incapacity benefit with al-coholism declared as their "primary diagnosis". Of these, 13,500 have been claiming for a decade or more.

There are about 160,000 "dependent drinkers" in England who receive one or more of the main benefits, figures show.

A total of 110 people in Sandwell are registered as disabled for drug or alcohol problems, 90 in Dudley, 80 in Wolverhampton, 70 in Walsall, 10 in Cannock and 10 in South Staffordshire. The numbers are rounded up to the nearest 10.

From April next year, the Disability Living Allo-wance will be replaced by Personal Independence Payments for eligible working age people aged 16 to 64. Assessments will be carried out and will focus on a claimant's ability to carry out a range of key activities necessary to everyday life. Information will be gathered from the individual, as well as healthcare and other professionals who work with and support them. Most people will also be asked to a face-to-face consultation with a trained independent assessor as part of the claim process.

Spokesman Steve Milne said: "The disability living allowance (DLA) is an outdated benefit with £630m of overpayments and the vast majority of people getting the benefit for life without systematic checks to see if their condition has changed. We are replacing DLA with personal independence payment and introducing a new face-to-face assessment and regular reviews – to make sure support is going to those who need it most."

But the proposed change has been criticised by some, including Dudley Centre For Inclusive Living. Founder Ken McClymont said the inc-reased tests would result in a bigger bill for the tax-payer. He also said those receiving benefits, including those for drugs and alcohol addictions, were entitled to their support.

He said: "The impact of some of these people's addictions means they are very unwell, their bodies may become unfit and they are mentally unstable.

"They need the support to overcome their addiction and help them participate back in society." MP for Warley John Spellar said: "The figures for Sandwell are obviously a serious concern and action needs to be taken," he said.

"However this does not just need to be cracking down on those who abuse alcohol and drugs but also helping people to break the cycle of addiction."

In the Black Country, a total of 20,831 people claim incapacity benefits or employment support allowance and 83,670 claim disability living allowance (DLA).