Benefit cuts will cost the economy.

Yeah that's not how it works at all. The usual reasons for specifying a vehicle were the driver not being able to fit in the driver's seat, the vehicle being too low for easy ingress/egress, or needing more capacity for a wheelchair.

Never in my life heard someone say they need a convertible that will do 0 - 60 in a tick because of their disability. I'm actually laughing at the very idea.

Pip is an in work benefit

PIP isn’t means tested. It’s not an out of work benefit. It’s to help with the extra costs associated with being disabled.

They can pay for it (luxuries) themselves. I understand if they cannot work and need money for essentials.

I thought as much. You can't pick any car that currently exists. I remember some comments about the scheme on another thread, and someone was obsessed with people using PIP to get "branded cars" - like there are unbranded cars 😂

Although I have a friend who has a sporty number and has a Blue Badge. Some people might assume the car is from the Motatbilty scheme - it isn't. She is not even on PIP.

That's absolute bollocks. I used to work on the Motability account for a related company. You do not get to choose a sporty little number. Not unless your disability in some way justified that as the only vehicle suitable for you.

As if they're just handing out Mercedes SLCs!! 😂

Lie better next time.

Without knowing this person, it’s impossible to say what extra support needs she has. Maybe she needs more support than someone without a disability to complete her masters? Who knows. All we know is that she has provided evidence to the DWP regarding her disability, and based on that evidence they have decided she is eligible for PIP.

This is all that matters at the end of the day, not what some random sitting at home thinks, who has no knowledge of the person whatsoever.

One of my boyfriend's old jobs was supporting disabled students at uni. He would attend lectures with them and do things like take notes for them.

Without knowing this person, it’s impossible to say what extra support needs she has. Maybe she needs more support than someone without a disability to complete her masters? Who knows. All we know is that she has provided evidence to the DWP regarding her disability, and based on that evidence they have decided she is eligible for PIP.

The answer to that is between the claimant, medical professionals, and the DWP. It is not anyone else's business.

That wasn’t the question.

Really, that sounds rather unbelievable. I wonder which fun, sporty car they choose under the scheme .

Disabled people can have an education and travel the world. Or were you born yesterday?

They will have swapped the mobility element of their PIP for the car. If they did not apply for the car, they would have the money instead.
The money would not be taken off them to give to someone else. That is not how it works. Many people get the high rate mobility which would entitle them to car but they don't have to get one.
I know someone who has given up her Motability car so she can have the money instead.

A neighbour got diagnosed with a serious illness and became eligible for PIP etc. They already had two decent cars, but first thing they did was get a "fun" car under Motability. Yes, it was their "entitlement", but they certainly didn't need another car, and it was a small sporty car so didn't have any disability aids included - they both continued using their other two cars for normal journeys. It's that kind of waste that needs tackling - as I say, yes, they were "entitled" but they didn't actually "need" the money. I'd rather the money be spent on those who needed it.

What extra support does one need if they’re doing a masters and travelling the world! For gods sake, we weren’t born yesterday. Stop trying to make out disability is this intangible thing which is justified if the individual says it is, clearly this person is taking the piss.

That is a good attitude. I hope you continue to get help from those who know you in real life. Sad to hear about someone struggling so much on their own. It is a shame that the cost of labour is so high in this country that you cannot hire anyone to care for you on a daily basis. Take care!

Like I said the word exaggerate was a poorly chosen word but very easily done by anyone.

The previous poster who gives an example about being able to use a kettle even though it could be detrimental to her safety puts it perfectly.

Advisors will give such examples and warn you that your words could be twisted ( a bit like on here) as assessors will just hear you can lift a kettle but not be bothered about the implications that act could have on you.

Its about giving or deducting points to protect the social fund, they bank on people not having the mental strength or will to appeal the decisions.

OK so what you say about CAB staff exaggerating - is that gospel also? I would really like to know what your sources are.

Oh ok so one ex employee ( she was only speaking for herself btw) from cab in the whole of the uk has spoken. Must be gospel then.

Oh, thanks for such a concerned message. That's kind of you.

I have a small amount of family but they are either far away or they have the same condition because it's genetic.

I do have a lot of friends and they do help where they can. I'm not especially good at asking for help. I don't like to be a burden. But they've come over before and tidied up the whole place for me or filled the fridge with ready meals. But there's no one who could care for me all the time.

Despite all this, I do try my best to be stoic and actually have just have a laugh where I can. Moping around won't cure me! :)

If they got a lump sum, then that will be back pay from the period between applying and actually being awarded.

The fact they survived that interim period does not mean they are not in need of the money! If they've gone without equipment/services they required for say a year or two they can't go back in time and pay for them with the lump sum!

And if they lose their PIP, you, the taxpayer will not see that saving personally. You won't get a tax reduction, just some other area of tax spending will go up.

I had a big lump sum in back pay from my change of circumstances review - it took 19 months! In that time I cut back on our food and fuel use, and used that money to pay for services and stuff. When I got that back pay we got to go back to having three meals a day not two, and eating fresh food, because the weekly income had gone up and it went into my savings for the next big purchases. I was lucky not to go into debt, if I had, the backpay would have repaid it, but should we REALLY be saying 'if you didn't get into debt, you don't get any back pay'?

This person knows they'll most likely not be getting PIP again. I'll glad the taxpayer will be saved some money (in this specific instance alone)

This is very sad! Where is your family? Do you have no family or friends who care enough to help?! Absolutely appalling!