To agree with some of the cuts being made

[lesley33]

Obviously I mean cuts being made by the Government. I have been reading stories in the press about some of the cuts being made that have examples of people who will suffer because of these. Some I don't agree with, but with some that you are obviously supposed to sympathise with I think, well thats fair enough cutting that. Fine in an ideal world, but hardly a necessity.

For example, I totally disagree with cuts to speech therapy and physiotherapy - always seems to be undervalued when it comes to public funding.

But some charging for services to disbled people seems fair enough. Lots of these services such as a local bus pass that gives free transport to disabled people came into being before DLA. But now DLA exists, surely this should be used to pay for things like this?

Also read stories about people not getting DLA in spite of disabilities. Lots of people don't seem to understand you get DLA not just because you are disabled, but because you need help with everyday tasks such as bathing, cooking, etc. If people don't need help, then no they shouldn't get DLA whatever their disability.
AIBU?

YABVU, It can be very hard to get DLA.

I find it is best not to judge a situation you have no knowledge of...or does not affect you.

Unless however you have neglected to say that you are in receipt of DLA and a bus pass and are happy to give that bus pass up?

I know it can be - but once people have it shouldn't they use this to buy services rather than getting these for free? This is what DLA is mean't for. And both I and my OH have disabilities, but rightly aren't entitled to DLA.

Am slightly confused at how you can have disabilities but not need help on some level with every day things? Surely the clue is in the word?

Can you give an example?

My partner has bipolar and a genetic bone illness. This causes ongoing pain, problems with walking long distances and needs occasional operations. The bipolar is under control with medication and usually does not cause any problems.

I have lung damage - basically holes in my lungs. Colds, etc make me very ill and I have to do postural drainage every day to clear mucus from my lungs.

But we can both walk normal distances at a normal pace. We can cook, clean, get dressed, wash ourselves and work without help from anyone else.

And I don't think lots of people understand the basic purpose of DLA. It is not a benefit becuase you are disabled - it is to pay for help with everyday tasks. And, like some others with disability, we don't need that everyday help.

The definition of disabled recognised by Government is a condition where you need help - either from a person, an aid or medication - to do everyday taks. If my partner couldn't help me with postural drainage, then I wouldn't be able to do everyday tasks.

Similarly if my OH wasn't on lithium and didn't have operations, OH couldn't do everyday tasks.

well you should probably get DLA if you need help to do every day tasks.

Erm.....why has only DLA been mentioned ? Cuts have been made everywhere

Shoddy, ill thought out op imo.

No I don't need help! As long as my OH takes medication and has operations OH doesn't need help. As long as I do postural drainage everyday, I don't need help. And its is the same for some other disabled people.

People can be disabled and not need DLA. DLA is meant to be for help with everyday tasks - so either paying someone directly or paying for a service you can't do yourself e.g. ready made meals if you can't cook or service wash if you can't wash your clothes. It is not a benefit because you are disabled.

And thats why I think its okay to cut free services that DLA is supposed to pay for. If we had lots of money as a country it would be fine, but I think with the existence of DLA these are luxuries, not neccessities.

Aghhh! Lesley, my son is autistic, he does NOT appear disabled. I claim DLA for him which allows me to work part time and meet him from school EVERY day. Any school issues can then be dealt with and I meet his needs.
My friend gets it for severe agoraphobia which she is trying to deal with. She can wash, dress herself etc but for mobility needs someone with her. She pays for some transport with this. YABU.

I didn't just mean DLA in cuts - but as other posters have only mentioned DLA, my posts have been in response to them.

Thejollypirate - I have never said DLA shouldn't exist. I know lots of people who really need this. I am not criticising DLA or people who get it.

help from your OH to do postural drainage so you can do everyday tasks is "help".

So is it okay for very wealthy pensioners to be in receipt of free bus passes, winter fuel and free tv licences - while teenagers from poor homes lose their EMA allowance?

You only mentioned DLA/health in your op tho. Why ?

Downright lazy imo

Fwiw I agree with child trust fund going. Total waste of money, also the health in pregnancy grants. Don't think maternity grant should have gone but maybe been less for a second child and also in vouchers

Local cuts, some are madness but people should come before potholes imo

HTH

Yes it is, buttrust me I am not entitled to DLA. In the same way someone who uses aids such as prosthetic legs may not be entitled to DLA/entitled to less DLA as a result of those prosthetics.

The cuts are going to be hard on a lot of people but unfortunately they have to be made otherwise we are only handing on the problems recent governments have created to future generations. The government should think hard about which areas they are being made in though, makes me to hear about stuff like childrens and disabled services being cut while MPs take the piss with their large salaries and expenses.

Would it cost more to do the means testing to decide which pensioner gets a bus pass than it would to just give them all a bus pass?

I'd need to see the figures I think.

It's to help out with the extra costs of disability, things like having to do more laundry because the recipient soils their bedding and clothes more often due to their condition, needs extra tutoring their school doesn't provide, etc., not just if you need every day help.

Methinks the op has been turned down for DLA

Lets face it the thread title should have been aibu to agree with cuts to DLA ?

Probably not, noblegiraffe, as the means testing is already in place for Pension Credit or Minimim Income Guarantee (MIG) whatever it's called.

Also agree with following cuts.

Child trust fund - a great idea, but a luxury in hard financial times. Cutting child benefit to higher rate tax payers.
In my area reducing grants to charity providing cheap transport to disabled people.

I have never applied for DLA.