to think that IDS should go out and see how bloody hard it is!

[Dawndonna]

www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/may/14/disability-benefits-slashed-half-million?fb=native&CMP=FBCNETTXT9038

Also - go in any orthopaedic / gynae / urology / oncology unit (plus any other speciality) in any local hospital & you will find many people of 'working age' - in the 55 - 67 age group; who are suffering from health problems that many middle-aged people traditionally suffer from.

Health problems that mean they need weeks or months off work sick; therefore most likely losing their jobs.
Reaching 50 ish often means that you get worsening arthritic conditions, prostate cancer, gynae problems, diabetes complications, heart disease etc - & that is never going to change.
Very often these problems can be linked to 35 years of physically hard jobs including in the building trade, nursing, etc. etc.

It's a sad fact that not many employers will take on a person of 59 in poor health.
But these people aren't considered physically 'disabled enough' to receive various benefits.

OK..... any suggestions?
My own situation aside; what do people do when they are 10 years away from retirement age & unlikely to ever get the chance of a job ever again???

serial - i don't think you can entirely blame IDS. If people hadn't abused the benefit system so much, claiming when they weren't entitled, then some of the things he's putting in place wouldn't be necessary

More people abuse the tax system than have ever abused the benefit system.

But people haven't abused DLA. It's fraud rate is tiny. If the concern is with fraud levels it should be last to be reformed.

Of course people have abused DLA.

Abuse of the tax system isn't the same as abuse of the benefits system, no matter how many people try to equate the two.

Josephine came up with some real corkers on the benefit hatred thread too.

No, it's worse. Those abusing the tax system often have a lot of money to start with.

So, Josephine, how would someone go about faking so many specialist diagnoses and doctors' letters? You have no idea.

That's been very clear on other threads. There are a contingent here that think nobody should get benefits at all.

"Of course people have abused DLA." But how?

The only thing I can think is that the department have in the past been putting people on lifetime awards because the cost of reassessing everyone all the time is so great. And a small % of these have miracle cures, and an even smaller % of those don't tell the department about it and carry on getting paid benefit.

But it still seems implausible. DD1 has only got 1/3 of a working brain, and that's permanent. She gets reassessed every 3 years. Total waste of time and money, and tbh I imagine we waste more money on reassessments where it's clearly unnecessary than we lose through fraudulent claims.

I don't know about IDS, I think some people on this thread could also do with going out to see how hard it is - might be the reality check they need.

Of course there will be abuse of any system - the fact is though that channels exist for dealing with fraud. The fact that so many people "know of someone" abusing the system tells me they are not using those channels but instead choose to disappear up their own arses with self righteous sniffs and a lot of "I told you sos".

I also know lots of people claiming DLA (naturally as the mother of an autistic child I would do), and I don't know a single one claiming fraudulantly.

DLA is that 'easy' to get that fibromyalgia, BOR syndrome, EDSIII and a cardiac condition no longer qualify you.

HTH.

Glitter & Josephine - institutionalizing disabled people isn't going to happen. The government won't pay for it.
I have never been sectioned (thank god) despite getting quite ill (ie. totally losing touch with reality quite regularly etc etc) because THERE ARE RARELY ANY ACUTE BEDS FOR MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE.
People who get sectioned tend to be ones who cause a public nuisance requiring the Police.
It's fine to go insane or get suicidal as long as you do it quietly & don't bother people.
How do i know??
Well every time i've phoned the duty worker at the CMHT because i feel very unwell i get told 'they're busy' by the receptionist who i have heard actually doesn't bother to get off her arse & check.
I'm too polite & when you feel suicidal you feel like you are bothering people & shouldn't exist.
This receptionist has the type of manner that makes you feel like you shouldn't exist.
The last time i got through to the duty worker was when i phoned the psych hospital main reception (their receptionists are actually lovely).
I told the duty worker 'yesterday i stabbed my wrist but i couldn't go through with it because the knife was too blunt & it hurt. If i had a sharp knife then i would have done it but i don't keep them in the house because when i'm not having psychotic symptoms & severe mood swings then i don't want to die'.
They talk about not much for a bit then say 'right, got to go sorry, phone us anytime you feel bad!!!!!!'
Luckily i have a stupid cat who does stupid things to make me laugh & a Mum who checks up on me when she finishes work (sorry Mum).
But really? I think they are hoping that i will go through with it & that's one less patient to pay for.
I feel ok now but just tearful big deal, i'm still doing the stupid DLA form - 38 pages & it's really hard, i've had it for weeks but keep putting it off in case i get it wrong. It's got to be in to the DWP on Tues so i have to get off Mumsnet now & do the stupid form. The Benefits lady did help but she can't do it for me obviously.
Can i just say that i don't have DC yet (hope to one day if i get well again) but Mumsnet has helped to make me laugh & i really like it even if i disagree with people sometimes.

So what's going to happen when families with disabled relatives have to give them up as they can no longer afford to care for them? Or when they lose the roof above their heads?

They'll have to go somewhere, incurring more cost. Why not re open the institutions?

I honestly think this is where it's heading.

"If people hadn't abused the benefit system so much, claiming when they weren't entitled, then some of the things he's putting in place wouldn't be necessary"

Not true.

But I'm sure the DWP will be thrilled to hear you say so. Makes the last few years of placing media stories associating benefit with fraud completely worthwhile.

Alternatively, if you wish to engage brain: does 0.5% fraud = necessary to cut DLA/PIP by 20%?

Aw Latara

Just remember, it doesn't matter if you repeat yourself and you are filling in the form from the point of view of your worst days.

Glitterknickaz - er perhaps because it would contravine peoples HUMAN RIGHTS? Or don't disabled people qualify for them?

Oh Latara! Sod that it's un-MNetty, you need (((((hugs))))). And a little posy of to look up at in between dealing with the hideous form. Good luck.

That 0.5% also includes DWP error.

Er well not many people have abused DLA. 0.5% of claims. I'd be interested to know at what rate that was awarded as well, my guess is lower rate care, as I cannot see how you could possibly abuse higher rate care. Evidence is gathered from too many professionals.

Oh interesting Dawn, so the abuse rate is even lower.

latara can i plz inbox you

Thanks i do need unMumsnetty hugs, appreciated.
Now i have to GET THAT FORM DONE & STOP PUTTING IT OFF!! :)

Interesting article

Latara
Repetition is the key. Good Luck!

Ok to inbox if you like ta. omg i'm still here putting off the form, it reminds me of uni when i did all the essays the night before.
I still passed them all so hopefully i will pass the form. i mean qualify for it.
right really got to get off the internet now sorry!