Eddie McGrady MP has made representations to Social Security Agency Headquarters to increase the number of doctors who undertake home visits to some applicants of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

Mr McGrady stated, “Through my Constituency Office I have become aware of a delay in processing some DLA applications that involve a home visit from an Examining Medical Practitioner (EMP) as there is a shortage of doctors within the Social Security Agency to carry out this work.

The delays are unacceptable as applicants are forced to wait many weeks for a visit to be arranged. After the visit is carried out, it takes at least a further week for the EMP to return their report, and then for a decision to be made on the claim. In the meantime, applicants are required to wait without payment, and this affects some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

I have written to Social Security Agency Headquarters to address this problem and to request more resources to ensure DLA applications are processed in a timely manner.”