to think that cuts for disabled people doesn't seem to have the cool factor or whatever that the student thing had?

[daisy5678]

or why are the papers so strangely silent on the issue?

If you agree that cutting disability services and financial support is wrong, please come to


www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_campaigns/1126669-Stop-the-Abolition-of-DLA?msgid=23240953#23240953

[lisa1cares]

I thought some of you might find this useful www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/atos_healthcare_evidence_based_p

[lisa1cares]

Curlymama
It is not in review stage it is in its going to happen but we want to know your thoughts on it stage. Sad to say that because disabled people find it harder to be heard because of their disabilities that we are being ignored and thats not right. maybe if you are all on facebook if we all start posting on the BBC website's they might listen a little more try it :)
www.facebook.com/bbcbreakfast?v=info
lets try and make them listen to us. so people I ask you all to have your voice be heard you need to twitter facebook any anything else you can so that we can all be heard :) the more the better :)

[MUM0608]

I am scared about the cuts for DLA.

I was getting DLA (both lower rates) for MH, then I got sectioned and given a new medication which caused a brain disorder :( , I told DLA that I have now got this new illness and gave them all of the details about this illness, We have had to quit working and go on state benefits

I had a letter back saying my claim has been stopped as apparently I am well enough, even though I cant go in artificial light as it hurts my eyes and I now only have 20% vision which is getting worse rapidly I also have sever pain and I am a recluse as I cant go out as I cant stand the light and my partner has to guide me and 2dd's so it is impossible to go out and it affects my dd's, I cant even go upstairs myself or cook, so I am now in the process of going to tribunal to get try and get it back

[KalokiMallow]

I like that too givemesleep well.. not like it I guess.. but fear it.

[daisy5678]

"First, they came for the 'scroungers', and I did not speak out, because I had a job.
(People lost their homes and child poverty soared, but I was OK).

Next, they came for the students, and I did not speak out, because I wasn't a student.
(It put lots of people off university and the mountain of debt that they would inherit, but I was OK)

Next, they came for disabled benefits, and I did not speak out, because I was not disabled.
(Poverty/ depression for carers soared, independence was lost, but I was OK)

Next, they came for the bankers

Next, they came for the NHS, and the teachers, and the public sector but I did not speak out, because I earn enough to pay for private education and healthcare.
(Everything imploded in public services, but I was OK)

And then, my husband left me, I lost my job, I lost my house, developed a long-term illness, my child got hurt in an accident, I had a breakdown...and I was not OK. But nor was anybody else.By that stage, who had the energy left to care?"

Saw this elsewhere and liked it.

[daisy5678]

EMA going is crap.

How is it poorly targeted when it is means-tested?

Agree re: divide and conquer and I need to remember that!

[daisy5678]

Fair point, curlymama.

I guess look at the Riven thing today. For some famailies with shit councils, or a shit respite package, DLA helps fund respite (it shouldn't, but it does).

[tallwivglasses]

Bump.

[Pixel]

"I just know these 'medical assessments', far from fairly screening out those 'benefit cheats' will be carried out by people ignorant of how a long term condition can affect someone over the long term. I had to send endless correspondance from consultants, physios, gps etc - is it not enough? Surely it's costing so much more to employ these assessors and their little tick lists that say if you can walk across a room you don't need DLA?"

Sounds like what happened to my stepdad, (only it wasn't DLA he didn't get but similar circs). He had to go to a tribunal to try and get some help after he injured his back at work. After asking him to bend down and stretch (he was having a rare good day and was stupidly honest, which I suspect most fraudsters wouldn't be anyway when faced with such a 'test') he was told there was nothing wrong with him. The one medical person protested that he'd seen the x-rays and there was no way my step-dad should be working, but was over-ruled by the two 'box-tickers'. One month later my step-dad was having surgery on his spine and it was uncertain for a while whether he would be able to walk again, never mind go back to his job.

[Remotew]

Just as expected they have scrapped it.

Blonde I don't think there will be any going back on CB.

Sorry to hijack the thread but it seems to have died now.

[Deciduousblonde]

Actually the issue of CB was an important one because it wasn't just going to affect he 'wealthier' in fact, the plans they were going to put in place meant that if a couple worked and earned over 40k (I think) between them then CB would still be paid to them.

However the couples who had one breadwinner on 40k would have lost it. So yes, I think it's right & just that CB stays.

EMA is, of course, another issue and separate. I only really mentioned the CB because the coalition really don't know what proposals are going to come into force or not.

It's all a bit of a farce :(

[Remotew]

'staying'

[Remotew]

CB statying put well I suppose it was only going to affect the wealthier amongst us anyway.

EMA will go, I expect, cannot imagine this lot raising thresholds just cutting.

[Deciduousblonde]

abouteve ~ well I have been tirelessly searching the internet today and there appear to be conflicting reports, so I will keep schtum until the actual news breaks.

Mind you, with the coalition the way it is, it is hard to tell what will happen and what won't. Apparently CB is staying put..

[Remotew]

Blonde I haven't had chance to look at what's happening today, shouldn't be on here . Bonuses were scrapped at the beginning of this school year. DD didn't get any bonuses.

[Remotew]

Sorry didn't mean to go off topic, there is a big demo going on today about the EMA but I doubt it will make any difference.

I do realise that the DLA might affect me/my family in the future, although I hope not. As long as the ConDems remain in power they will do what they like.

[Deciduousblonde]

Hmmmm...I have heard reports that the EMA isn't being scrapped, but the bonuses attached to it are.

They are also talking about raising the earnings threshold, which obviously the lack of bonus will go to fund.

[2shoes]

I am sad about EMA going

[Remotew]

It's EMA decision day today and I am 100% positive this will mean DD loses £30 a week in June. Of course, it's the same old argument, people getting it when they don't need it etc, even though it's means tested to begin with.

[2shoes]

sadly people still think that this won't affect them.
it will, at some time you will be affected.

[CatIsSleepy]

chocoholic, both of those links were for the petition

[CatIsSleepy]

are they trying to cut the amount of money individuals get or the number of individuals claiming? or both?

sorry i don't know the details but there has been such a deluge of shit from this government I can't keep up. Needs much more publicity.

doesn't surprise me that they're picking on the most vulnerable however. I find it very sad.

[slhilly]

Remember the old maxim: divide and conquer.

I think the strategy has been to encourage different groups (students, people with disabilities, lone parents, the poor, etc) to look at each other with envy -- while taking away from all of them.

Bear in mind:

1. The student cuts are still going ahead. There may have been a lot of angry protest, but it's been ineffective.
   
2. For every piece about how students would suffer hardship, there were probably a dozen pieces about student thuggery protests blah blah blah.
   
   This government is intent on taking money and services from everyone (except, of course, the few thousands who are rich, earning more than 200k a year). The more vulnerable and voiceless you are, the harder they're hitting, but everyone is being hit.

[poppyknot]

I am not having a go at you abouteve (looking at my last post ) - but the whole thing is leaving a lot of people fuming..... At least the students had wall-to-wall coverage and therfore the chance of people discussing the issues in print and on the radio and tv.

There seems to be no wider platform for this.

[poppyknot]

20% fewer recipients would not be 'a few that didn't need it' though.
DLA is difficult enough to get as it is (and does not go to whole sections such as the under 3s at all).

It looks as if PIP will have an even higher, more arcane bar. (Don't be fooled by the fluffy acronym )