The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that it will be offering financial support to victims of asbestos poisoning, in a move that has been welcomed by many.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which was used extensively in the building industry before it was banned in 1999. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos can cause a number of serious health problems, including mesothelioma, a form of cancer which is fatal.
The financial aid offered by the DWP will be in the form of lump sum payments, which can be used to cover medical costs, lost earnings and other expenses associated with asbestos-related conditions. The payments are available to anyone who has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition, regardless of when or where they were exposed.
The DWP has stated that the aid is intended to help those who have been affected by asbestos poisoning to cope with the financial burden. The payments should also help to give victims and their families peace of mind by providing them with the assurance that they will not be left struggling financially.
The announcement has been welcomed by many, including the Asbestos Victims Support Group, which has stated that the DWP’s decision is a positive step in the right direction.
The DWP’s offer of support is not only welcomed by those affected by asbestos poisoning, but by the wider public as well. Asbestos poisoning is an often overlooked issue, but with the DWP’s financial aid, more people can now be given the help they need.