Is it possible to have a sensible discussion about disability benefits?

[Pjnow]

According to Google 10% of working age people are in receipt of PIP and 6% of 0-15yos receive DLA.

I'm a proper lefty who believes absolutely in the welfare state, a safety net and that we should care properly for those with disabilities. A society should be judged on how it cares for its most vulnerable.

However 10% in receipt of disability benefits can't be sustainable. I know many people receiving PIP also work, it's not about that.

I'm just wondering what (if anything) can be done to make sure those who need support get it, without paying it to 10% of the population. I know not all disabilities are visble etc, but 10%?!

Because, unlike some, I understand the scope of VUW and how disabilities present, and I support parents of disabled DC.

I think e.g. a child with CP who is virtually unable to walk who, for example, may only be able to take a few steps, may fall regularly (even when supported), may be in constant pain, may be incredibly slow at any movement &/or have significant unwanted movements, may be completely reliant on a wheelchair for purposeful mobility, may need hoisting, may be reliant on a WAV and so much more is, and should continue to be, eligible for HRM. I think it is disgusting if anyone doesn’t.

I’m not justifying his benefit being changed to you. It was wrong, the award was wrong, it was appealed. That’s all you need to know.

What happened is that his diet is limited. Because he’s autistic. He picked a small group of foods that he will eat - predominantly porridge, toast and lasagne, and then cut alllll the way down to just those things. In specific brands. I cannot just make a lasagne, he won’t eat it. Or buy cheaper bread. He won’t eat it. The child will legitimately not eat if that food is “wrong.”

If you would like to buy 20+ lasagnes that will either get eaten or binned (he won’t eat them from frozen. That’s also wrong.) then be my guest.

I do cut my cloth. I work 50hr weeks to cut that cloth, and feed that child his ridiculously expensive diet so he will actually eat.

Other people don’t have that available, and require “society to kick up the tab,” and when we’re talking about people’s ability to eat, or receive the care they need, “society” could be less of an arsehole about it.

How my ds qualifies isn't relevant. It wouldnt change the fact that i'd remove it. Like i've already writtem once they reach adult services it doesn't matter, it only matters to those who claim but aren't disabled enough to need sc support.

it only matters to those who claim but aren't disabled enough to need sc support.

Again, this is not correct. People with CHC funding are severely disabled and they are not subject to financial assessment.

Must be.

Unless he’s unable to walk, she’s claiming a benefit she doesn’t think he should have.

Maybe stop taking it then.

Well you did bring your son into the discussion when you've repeatedly used him as an example to say others aren't disabled enough compared to him.

You're entitled to your thoughys in the same way i am. I'd like disability benefits to be cut.

As long as your child is still elgible.

But society isn't responsible or rather shouldn't be responsible either. As parents you are responsible for feeding your child.

You’re responsible for yours too.

Maybe cancel his benefits and whatever support package you have in place, and don’t be such a drain on society.

And actually it does matter for those not in receipt of CHC funding. The mobility component is not considered for social care financial assessments.

It's very odd.

My son can't stand, never mind walk. Maybe I should demand that only children as physically disabled as my son should qualify for HRM or that LRM shouldn't exist at all?

But I understand that just because my son is severely physically disabled, it doesn't take away the fact that other children may struggle physically for whatever reason too and VUW for profound autism etc makes perfect sense.

As he has very high needs in every way. The majority of people claiming disability benefit don't and can contribute in some way so why shouldn't they? As i've wrote repeatedly if the benefits were stopped i'd guess the majority would find a way forward. There is a big victimhood mentality and a sense that life is owed. It isn't.

Ours sounds like he is as disabled, in the same ways, just younger - and still apparently is exclusively my problem.

Maybe all the benefits should just be going to their family and rest of us should just beg.

“We” can pay for her son but not anyone else’s? Get in the bin. 😂

then you’re a dick. Have you even listened to anyone’s story on this thread?

Our family isn't a drain. If you want to use that type of language and thought process maybe you need to look at yourself.

Why is one DC with very high needs entitled but not a DC with CP with very high needs?

If benefits were stopped, deaths would increase.

Because it isn't that easy as you've already pointed out by stating we don't live in an ideal world where people will willingly employ those who need accommodations to be able to work with a disability.

For some people, PIP is how they are able to continue working as a disabled person.

I’m our family breadwinner and we’re both net contributors who get up at 1am and then work 100 hours a week between us.

You?

I’m gonna guess…. Unable to work because of your child’s needs, like many other SENd parents, so husband is the earner. But also on here having the audacity to tell other people to “cut their cloth.”

We’re fortunate to have cloth to cut. As are you. Like I said before, privilege.

I haven't raised cp as an issue or wrote any dx should be excluded apart from a small patch of eczma on a hand which is taking the mickey. I've stated i'd get rid of vuw criteria among other things which has obviously struck a nerve.

Weren't you in a race to the bottom by bringing your own child in to it and playing top trumps regarding how disabled he is?

Not to mention it seems to be a different rule for pp who has a child who is profoundly autistic too but apparently she should just ''cut her cloth'' instead of receiving the same financial help you receive?

I receive PIP and I work. Without my PIP I would not be able to work, which also means I wouldn't pay tax, or NI, would have to be supported wholly on benefits and would have less to spend. I'm also in a job with recruitment problems.

I agree but also disagree.

I'll try and explain why.

I agree mental.illnes and neurodivergent conditions like ADHD and autism are on a spectrum.

You may very well have proportion of people with anxiety and depression who actually with the right support, be that medication or therapy can recover to a point here it does not affect their life so negatively and to such a degree. On the other hand you have others with anxiety and depression who have suffered/lived with it for decades despite having all the treatment and it does not improve or realistically is ever likely to.

Equally with ADHD and autism. Again you have a sprectum. For the most severely affected it can have a devastating and limiting effect in their lives. But no two people are the same. As ten DWP like to tell you it's not the condition you have but how that condition affects you (at least 50% of the time).

Personally I've never exaggerated my mental illness symptoms, I've always been honest.. unfortunately due to the strict criteria (and yes I know someone will be alone to say my neighbours nephew's daughter got it with Jo evidence) that has gone against me. I admit I don't currently have any "specialist mental health input" (I mean ignoring the ADHD specialist apparently) but that doesn't mean I don't have severe and ending mental illness.

I've been mentally ill since I was 11, when I first experienced depression..I was 12 when I started self harming and when I first attempted suicide.

My mental health progressively got worse and tbh I lost most of my tweens and twenties to it. My last attempt was aged 21 and that led to me losing u job and ending up cliamif ESA. I was put in the support group for the 3 1/2 years I was on it as I qualified under "work or work activity being a substantial risk to life".

I was after 3 1/2 years of having ACTUAL mental health care (in the form of a regular psychiatrist, community psychiatric nurse and occupational therapist) able to come off ESA and return to work which I've now been doing 12 years, but without that support I'm honestly not sure I'd even be here typing this now.

I do agree that for some, especially those in co current drug addictions, PIP imo is not particularly useful. Tbh I've seen what happens, often they get the money, they get their fix and after it's gone resort to begging or shoplifting. Obviously you cat force someone to accept help or treatment but I do question whether it's the right support.

Planning not privilege. You make a lot of assumptions. We didn't have children until we were in a good place and could pay pay for them.

There is a great deal of bitterness in your post.