By Isabelle Kirk, data reporter

Hundreds of people in Gravesham receiving disability benefits have had their payments stopped by assessors, as part of the roll-out of a new system.

The charity Scope said many disabled people are “losing out on vital support” under the new system, which it says is beset with problems.

Since 2013, the Government has been moving claimants from Disability Living Allowance to the Personal Independence Payment.

In Gravesham, 470 Disability Living Allowance claimants failed the assessment for PIP.

According to the Department for Work and Pensions, 2,005 people in Gravesham have applied to switch from DLA to PIP since it was introduced.

More than a fifth of them were rejected after a face-to-face assessment.

Like Disability Living Allowance, the Personal Independence Payment is a tax-free, monthly benefit to help disabled people with the costs of living and transport.

A DWP spokesman said: “PIP is a fairer benefit, which takes a much wider look at the way an individual’s health condition or disability impacts them on a daily basis.

“Therefore someone claiming DLA is not automatically entitled to PIP.”