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

But your claim was that it was an abused system. Who is abusing it then?

Agree a move like this would miss the point of what PIP is meant to be. If my 19yo DD is ever awarded any it would be to pay for taxis as needed when she returns to adult ed/tech college, starting driving lessons if she feels able so she can be less reliant on public transport and to pay for her private ADHD meds/therapy, all of which is about scaffolding her towards independent living. Unless you can use vouchers for any of these things, it would be worthless to us.

However, we made contact Nov, finally got a form March, visit from DWP to screen me to be her nominated person April, tel call from specialist in May to ask final questions for the assessment report, letter yesterday to say they have all info and will be reviewing info to make a decision… it could be November before we see a penny anyway. Terrible system.

Remembering some people on PIp can't work.

Some do.

So giving vouchers can't and won't work because some people will be able to spend pip on their disability and some will spend or on bills because their disability doesn't allow them to work and they still go without. They may also have higher bills due to disability (eg utilities)

It's the biggest madness ever of a suggestion.

It's a proposal. In an election year. It's not worth anything like the amount of thought that's being put into it in the thread.

At this point you can call the DWP and ask for a copy of the assessment report to be sent to you. From that you can work out the scores given by the assessor and what the award is likely to be even though it may still take a long while to come through (we are in the same position, did that last week).

Thank you - I’ll do that on Monday. We’ve no idea if she’ll even get the minimum amount although the assessor who called to do the report was lovely and supportive, so I felt I could be totally honest about what it’s like for my DD.

We’ve managed to get her on a course that qualifies for an adult returners grant for September, but it would really help to know if she will have any money in the pot for days when getting out the house is so painful a taxi would help. GP is being amazing and just agreed to take over prescribing meds, so monthly med bill will be a tenner rather than £120 we’ve been paying for the last year.

Am thinking that the idea in the OP is merely that, an idea, as it is completely unworkable and doesn’t actually fit the purpose for which the grant is intended. There are UC/housing benefits etc that cover rent and food if needed - PIP is about helping them move towards independence and hopefully becoming self sufficient.

The consultation is taking place regardless of who wins the election.
Labour support the consultation & won't stop it if they win

The thing is, someone who is peg fed will have someone else caring for them in the home most likely. So the vouchers can be used for food for the people who can eat reticular food, whilst the money they would have spent on regular food can be used to buy nutrient supplements for those who are peg fed.
Similarly for speech therapy.

NO
So, someone not working might receive £500 in UC + £100 in PIP vouchers (obvs made up amounts). They need to spend more on heating, so if the PIP vouchers are for food, they can spend them on food to free up £100 of UC for heating.

I think those on PIP because they can't work because of their drug addiction should get vouchers. They could not then draw it all out on "payday" and meet their dealer just across the road from the bank.

I get a disability payment.

I paid into the social security system for years. I did this as it's meant to be an insurance system that help you out in times of misfortune.

I'd much rather be working.

So the money compensates me for things I can't afford without a salary anymore.

It goes towards my car & parking as I can't use public transport.

I need a specialist diet, which is more expensive so it goes on the extra food bills.

I need the heating on more.

I go to the hairdressers because of difficulties in washing/dying it myself.

I'm not able to camp so use it for a hotel if staying away from home.

It's for my phone so I can keep in touch with people as I can't visit.

I buy painkillers & supplements.

Workmen to do home tasks I can't.

A cleaner as I can't.

I used to pay a CM.

Fit bit to keep track of my steps/pulse/health.

Home adaptations/aids. Eg eye level oven/ worktop dishwasher.

Go out to cafes just to get out of the house to maintain my mental health.

PIP is rarely abused, believe me its notoriously difficult to obtain, even if really ill. I know, i worked at citizens advice and other jobs whereas i am in direct contact with PIP/DLA/ benefits. The view that it is abused is the rhetoric the tories etc put out... its there so society fight amongst themselves, therefore causes divide....divide and conquer. Oldest trick in the book.
The voucher system is an abysmal attempt at separating disabled from non disabled, segregating. Its a vile proposal.

Firstly I don't think it will happen. It's a Tory idea that is unlikely to happen. However I think whichever party wins the election will need to do something due to the sheer number claiming both DLA and PIP and AA as well.
I think they will likely make it harder to get. I know people will argue it's already hard to get but personally I don't think that's always the case. They need to put more in place to make sure the help is getting to those who need it the most.

Not if it works like direct payments, where you have to provide reciepts for what you have spent and prove that it was spent on the individual.

Soontobe60 do you receive pip? Because you seem to be stuck on the idea it covers food.

My ds gets pip. He uses it to lease a specially adapted car so he can travel.
He uses it to buy adapted equipment so he can do every day tasks.
To access therapy.
On mobility aids because the threshold to get them on the nhs is really high.

Food is covered by his wage. Rent is covered by his wage.

If he couldn't work UC would cover rent and money towards bills.

Getting food vouchers of £100 will not allow him to travel, will not allow him to pay for a new wheelchair when he needs it. Will not allow him to have the heating on extra when required or have extra baths when needed.

There is such a huge variety of things people spend their PIP on that a voucher system won't work - nit even as a replacement,ent for other things you spend money on.

I think this sort of disability really does need to be looked at. I have an alcohol dependent client recently awarded an extra £500 of PIP a month. I am seriously worried he is going to drink himself to death now with the extra money. It's really concerning. I had to help him claim it as part of my job but it doesn't sit well with me, I am worried for him. I would rather the money go on therapy etc to help him get well.

The nutritional supplements would all be on prescription wouldn't they ?

Exactly

Honestly don’t stress about it, I doubt it will even happen

They need to ensure that services are available for individuals so that they dont need to use DLA/PIP for those things. Its a vicious circle and as the parent of a disabled child its one that is all to familiar. Its depressing and exhausting at times.

For example, in the past I have used my DS's DLA payment for continence wear (when we were assessed and told we were entitled to 3 a day), speech therapy (as we were on a 2 year waiting list, and by the time we got to the end of that list he would have been too old at 8 to recieve it), occupational therapy (as our NHS OT team rejected multiple requests for sensory OT) and for specialist orthotics as the ones provided were not right and couldnt be changed.

The Conservatives talked about this some time ago. Well before the GE was announced as a way to focus some PIP payments.
They, at the time, did not state who would be affected other than some suffering with mental health. I don’t know if they’ve extended the criteria.

Here’s what Labour have to say about benefits in general and the disabled.
Basically nothing. Just we’ll look at payments, fraud, back to work ethic.

Everything the Tories do ends up costing more money. They are totally incompetent. Every time my son has an assessment the Capita employee gives him 0 points. They look at him and see a well dressed man in his early thirties and don't even write down our answers to questions.A few years ago I won the mandatory reconsideration.The next assessment came, zero points again. I filed the MR with all of the same points as the previous one only for it to be turned down. So then I had to appeal. I mentioned the fact that the MR had raised the same points as the earlier successful one, and hey presto we didn't have to go to appeal. All this took months during which time I was told I had to look for work because my business didn't earn enough money (you have to earn £250 a week apparently). It was stressful and humiliating. My son is autistic and has very high anxiety, very low mood and is on three different medications. He panics easily. He doesn't eat unless I put food in front of him. I could go on. I live in fear of the review letter. Why does there even have to be a review when someone has a lifelong condition? He's been the same way his whole life and as far as I am aware there is no cure for autism. And it costs money to have the review! Just ridiculous.

This, and some people will continue to fall for their ruse. When will the majority start looking up instead? They are the people hoarding so many resources, whilst throwing a few crumbs down, which people then squabble, and fight over.

My son started nhs speech therapy at age 8 and it continued for a few years on a one to one basis then he was moved to group speech therapy.
If it’s still a problem suggest querying the age cap.

With vouchers there’s no reason you couldn’t use your vouchers to improve your sons life, just as you have done with the cash for PIP. However, I don’t believe the current proposal relates to your sons disabilities anyway.

In fairness, the Tory vote is poised to absolutely plummet. They're going to lose this election very badly.

Fucking stupid policy though, no argument there. I should declare an interest as a member of our household receives DLA.