So they want to replace PIP/DLA money with vouchers?

[moneyinthebinthatsmrtim]

I don't understand it. It is really worrying me.

This payment helps pay for so many things. I doubt these vouchers would cover that, or give the freedom to shop or buy from where you want or need to.

I included DLA because it's really just the child's version of PIP. Eventually, my profoundly disabled child will be an adult and will have to be on PIP

Is there really any truth in this? I can't see any articles directly quoting Labour or Conservative. I might just be in such a worry that I have missed that bit

Apologies if there is another thread on this too. I am happy to get this one taken off if that's the case

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pip-disability-benefits-plan-rishi-government-critics-b2537209.html

Yes.

They could be given vouchers to buy the things they currently claim back as expenses. It would stop them from buying floating duck house, and their husbands from watching pay-per-view porn on the taxpayer.

It would be totally unworkable. I am not even going to use headspace worrying about it. It shows how out of touch, and empathy this current Government is. The amount of taxpayers money, they have wasted, and recklessly spent, the amount of backhanders they have thrown around like confetti to their friends, and cronies, would, I imagine, far exceed the savings they are trying to make by targeting the sick, and disabled people.

A voucher scheme is (deliberately) too restricted to recompense the paid for additional things that give value to a disabled person's life.

My autistic adult son has severe social anxiety. But we have a dog. It is literally the only physical contact he has. He cuddles the dog and even drops kisses on his head.

The only way I can get him to leave the house is to drive him to an enclosed dog field where he can guarantee no social interaction. The field is a 20 minute drive. And costs £9 per session. Car purchase/maintenance/MOT/petrol/pet insurance/vet fees/field costs plus additional living costs are not even covered by PIP.

But it structures his day - otherwise he is up all night and doesn't emerge until early evening - and wards off depression and suicidal ideation. It gets him out of the house into fresh air and nature. He talks to me and plans the rest of the day. What we can watch on streaming services we can only afford because of PIP.

I am now a single parent and full time carer and could not afford this otherwise. My son had specialist school, SALT, OT, CAMHS but when they are adult and not 'fixed' official support ends and it's left to parents. PIP is literally a life saver.

I wish that these people who dream up these nightmare solutions for people, would have to spend a day around the table with people, like the posters on here. Those people who can tell it as it is, as they live daily with the difficulties that their disability presents. To hear from the horse's mouth, as it were, why their fanciful voucher scheme would never work. Plenty of posters have already given practical suggestions, on how the PIP bill could be lowered, without harming, already disadvantaged people. So many posters on here have shared some of their struggles. We cannot call ourselves a civilized Country, if the demonisation of the vulnerable is allowed to spread, unabated. Your post touched me@PocketSand . Your son is not asking for much, and should be supported, as long as he needs to be.

i have to admit im worried about losing pip,when im feeling logic i tell myself how can a new system can possibly work as its so complex as people use pip for thousands of differrent things and if Labour are in would there longterm supporters rally against

on not so good day i worry how i will manage bluntly i wont,i have my own home and to keep even the basics going it costs,if i rented i would probably be better of as i would have no upkeep as such,the privacy of having my home is very important to my well being as daft as it may sound and my garden plays a huge part in my therapy and getting outside

ive just had a review as change of circumstance and my claim was near a review so they lumped altogether just a paper review and awarded higher for both for 6 years i was so relieved and the longest time given to me and now im worrying about what may happen with changing pip it never seems to end

but i really cant see how they could drastically change it,would they be much tougher on new claims,where the heck would they start it would be impossible and im thinking would take years,anybody else wonder how they could start this

anyway im finding this thread helpful and thanks to the op for starting

Scotland have managed to change it, it's the same basic framework with some common sense added. The vast majority of claims are paper based and for a longer term if it's obvious the claimant isn't going to suddenly change. I think any government could sit and make the same and many more changes to make this a better system.

I don't think the Tories will be happy until every sick and disabled person in the UK is either dead,or are so worn down by trying to claim any benefits they may be entitled to that they just give up. The sooner they are kicked out,the better.

Lots of people put off applying in the first place, because they have heard horror stories about the process, or are unable to face filling in the lengthy forms.

I am one of those people. My own mental health team offered to support me in doing it all, but also stressed that they were concerned about the affect it would have on my MH by doing so.

Also, lots of people apply, get turned down, and don't have the strength to try again.

I don't mean to pry, but did you find not having to fill in the forms yourself less stressful? @XenoBitch

I didn't go through with it. However, they did do my forms for UC, and I found that bad enough, as in going over things just showed what my limits were... and that made me feel awful. If that makes sense!
It is not just the forms, but the whole assessment process, and potentially having to fight for it all. It was just not worth it for me.

It is understandable that you may have just found it too much@XenoBitch It is hard having to lay bare ones difficulties, and such personal information. That is why disabled people should not have to be demeaned even further, with all this talk of dispensing vouchers. And you are right, it does seem like a fight to get awarded anything. I do understand that is not the case for everyone though.

It’s not helpful to make up information and distress people who have been targeted by the tories to win a few votes.

Unlike the tories, Labour are not targeting people with disabilities for political gain.

As I said before - the tories are unique in their performative cruelty.

I’d say try not to worry, but I know it’s hard. The tories have destabilised so many with this vote catching performance. And it won’t save any money if they do change the system, but will no doubt enrich preferred suppliers.

No, you see lots of people and without knowing their circumstances you assume that about them.

If that is the case then we are doing something else wrong.

But what do you propose? Euthanasia for the mentally unwell? I think that has been tried. For whatever reason some people in our society need help. What other choice is there?

I am horrified that I didn't spot this the first time I read through the thread.

Exactly what conditions, bar tobacco addiction and some street drug addictions, do you consider to be self-inflicted? I'll grant that nicotine and some street drugs are known to be highly addictive to everyone who takes them, but plenty of people can drink alcohol regularly without becoming hooked, so we can't blame people for becoming alcoholics when their mates drink the same amount without getting addicted. There's some genetic predisposition involved there that won't be discovered until it's too late.

I didn't inflict my migraines or autism on myself. My sister didn't inflict stage four endometriosis on herself. My dad didn't inflict arthritis on himself. People with lupus, epilepsy, diabetes, and eating disorders all don't inflict those conditions on themselves.

So what conditions, bar tobacco and street drug addictions, are self-inflicted?

What do you propose then? Mass institutionalisation? We tried that before and it didn't work out so well.

They have no idea how harmful this is for people who are unwell and rely on this payment to just meet ongoing costs, be that high private rent, rising food costs, rising fuel costs, costs for therapy that can no longer be accessed through the NHS, Physiotherapy, osteopathy, fitness classes etc. None of these can be accessed when needed through the NHS anymore.

I didn't ask for fibromyalgia, nor do I know why I'm often so depressed and anxious that I can't leave the house. I'd rather not be this way and I've had a lot of different therapy of various kinds, but so far nothing has helped in the long run. Fibro floors me regularly, so that I'm so exhausted I can't get out of bed, in so much pain.

Now I have this to worry about, which is robbing me of the little bit of sleep I sometimes manage to get! I'm tired of fighting and tired of being attacked as someone sponging off the state. I worked hard for many years, paying my NI contributions. Now I can't work, I'd like to know that state will help me, instead of turning me and others in my situation into a target. I don't have a massive TV ( It's small and second hand), I can't afford holidays, I don't have Sky TV, I don't take drugs or even drink more than probably one unit per month.

To some people on this thread, please don't judge what is going on in people's lives, you've no idea.

Obesity causes lots of problems - increased pressure on joints, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes. We have a huge obesity problem in the Uk ( myself included ).

I do think a lot of people try to claim PIP ( even when they don't really meet the criteria) purely because other out of work benefits just aren't enough to cover the basics. Often the housing element of UC no where near covers private rents so people are left making up the shortfall before they even try to cover all the other things that need covering. It is meant to cover the additional costs of disability but as you say in reality it is used just to cover the basics because other benefits don't.

If obesity was actually a choice, we'd all choose to be thin. The success of semaglutide treatments proves that there is a hormonal component to obesity, meaning that it's not a choice.

And those people who aren't eligible get refused and refused again on appeal. They aren't adding to the PIP bill.

other out of work benefits just aren't enough to cover the basics. Often the housing element of UC no where near covers private rents

And punishing PIP claimants with vouchers solves this affordable housing shortage how?

As has been mentioned on here there’s nothing ‘made up’ about the PPs comment.

The consultation period ends in the first week of the next Parliament.
Labour have said they will consult and consider all the information and recommendations provided in that Paper. They have not said they will ignore it and they have not said they will retain the current PIP system.

So no one knows what Labour will do at the present.
Its very much a wait and see.