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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

for pointing out in the light of recent discussions that DLA is NOT always an "out of work" benefit?

56 replies

ColouringIn · 10/08/2012 09:09

Just that really

I get so fed up with reading that this person knows x, y or z people all on the sick and claiming benefits.

DLA can actively keep people IN work by helping with extra living costs.

I have a friend in a wheelchair who gets DLA, without it she would be stuck at home, with DLA she is mobile and working 5 days a week. It funds a lease car which she has to pay to have adapted but with this she can work.

It is NOT means tested and nor should it be - David Cameron claimed it when his DS Ivan was alive because he was entitled to do so (does that make him "entitled"- oh dear). No doubt it helped fund the extra care which Ivan needed during his life....which helped keep Dad in work.

We are fortunate in this country, we need to appreciate it and support it - anyone could become disabled in a heartbeat - it takes just ONE accident in some cases and life changes beyond all recognition.

I claim it for my autistic son....I am NOT in work at the moment because my son's sleeping issues mean I am not a safe practitioner. This has only been for three months and will not be forever...I also claimed it IN work too though and it funded play support. Currently it is funding private Occupational Therapy as the OT service locally is down to one OT for autistic children Hmm. This will help with the sleep issues (and is already doing so) meaning I can get back to work where I want to be.

It is a fabulous support, a great benefit and has a very low incidence of fraud because the checks are thorough, the form is 32 pages and hideous to complete and you really have to prove things with lots of back up. Not saying it CAN'T be defrauded - clearly people will find a way iof they are determined enough but they are usually defrauding everyone else too. They will egt caught eventually.....and rightly so.

Don't tar all of us with that brush though, most of us are struggling through and trying to do our best.

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 10/08/2012 09:14

You can repeat it as often as you like, people don't want to hear it. It doesn't fit with their Mailesque vision of the world.

DozyDuck · 10/08/2012 09:22

When people claim DLA for their children, however, it is for their children. I had a 'friend' who's DS got DLA (like mine) and she couldn't work (like me ATM) and her DS had nothing, no good clothes, no 'gear' and she had her nails and eyelashes done every month.

DSs DLA goes on his stuff. His sensory equipment, his walking reins, etc.

Children's DLA is not the parents money, it is not an extra benefit parents get. It's children's.

circlebeginning · 10/08/2012 09:43

I'd like to see a fine for journalists, politicians and anyone else who makes statements that should be correctly informed who get it wrong.

If you say DLA is an out of work benefit on tv, in the paper, in a speech. £200 fine!

cornybootseeker · 10/08/2012 09:46

'I get so fed up with reading that this person knows x, y or z people all on the sick and claiming benefits.'

yes I've seen it on here loads of times. It's ignorance about disability in general. These are the type of people who 'challenge' people who park in a disabled parking space who aren't in a wheelchair.

Tanith · 10/08/2012 09:50

My nephew is 5 and gets it. He couldn't get to school without. YANBU

A fine for misinformation! Bring that in and the Tabloids could probably fund the Welfare state for us Smile

TwelveLeggedWalk · 10/08/2012 09:52

Thank you for explaining. What is the benefit now called that you (should!) recieve if you are ill/disabled and unable to work?

Also, something that I was wondering the other day - I have a family member in a wheelchair who has always worked, but clearly could not do ANY job. If he were to lose the job he has, would he receive any additional support, or is it a case of he CAN work therefore he is treated the same as able bodied unemployed?

FoofHundredMetreFreestyle · 10/08/2012 09:53

As the wife of somebody who claims DLA and works , YANBU.

It comes up time and time again. It's tiring and depressing to read the continual and wilful ignorance.

DozyDuck · 10/08/2012 09:55

If you can work I think you get JSA as with everybody else. If you can't work you get income support, and your carer gets carers allowance.

I THINK.

Vagaceratops · 10/08/2012 09:58

I would also like to point out that it is notoriously difficult to get. It isnt handed out to everyone 'with a dodgy back' etc etc

MrsPnut · 10/08/2012 09:59

Twelve it's ESA that is the payment for people who are unable to work because of illness or disability.

Some people may be receiving ESA and DLA but they won't be working, usually because their illness or disability prevents them.

MrsPnut · 10/08/2012 10:01

DLA is one of the benefits that has the highest rate of refusals on application that are then awarded upon appeal. It certainly was before all these stupid ESA fit to work assessments were started.

DozyDuck · 10/08/2012 10:01

Oh yes vaga! They need reports from the doctors, so unless a doctor can be fooled then you won't get it (I know it has happened but it would be a massive con job and not the case of someone willy billy attempting to put in a false claim)

Vagaceratops · 10/08/2012 10:01

If you cant work you get ESA.

HauntedLittleLunatic · 10/08/2012 10:01

If you can't work because of disability or illness you can claim Employment Support Allowance (ESA) which IME is more amenable to fraud/pushing the boundaries, particularly for first 12m where 'all you need' is a sicknote.

That isn't what this thread is about though is?

cornybootseeker · 10/08/2012 10:01

they are messing with the carers allowance though so it'll be harder to get

HauntedLittleLunatic · 10/08/2012 10:02

Multiple xpost!

Vagaceratops · 10/08/2012 10:03

MrsPnut - I agree.

When we applied for DS we were turned down. On reconsideration we were awarded MRC and LRM. I hadnt supplied any extra evidence, just a sheet refuting the claims on why they had turned him down.

Vagaceratops · 10/08/2012 10:04

they are messing with the carers allowance though so it'll be harder to get

Yes, I think you will only be able claim if the person you care for receives HRC.

HauntedLittleLunatic · 10/08/2012 10:04

(and that should have been 1st 12wk for just a sicknote)

DozyDuck · 10/08/2012 10:04

What are they doing to carers allowance?

DozyDuck · 10/08/2012 10:05

Xposts with vaga. That wont affect me yet then. Although I think HRC is only awarded if help is needed throughout the night? If so its hardly fair as if they need care all day you still are working a hell of a lot for £50 a week :-/

cornybootseeker · 10/08/2012 10:06

I read somewhere that only those carers who care for people on Higher rate would qualify. Didn't pay too much attention as I don't claim it and ds is middle rate. I just remember thinking

Vagaceratops · 10/08/2012 10:15

I claim CA and will lose it for DS, yet someone will still need to be with him all day, and if things font improve will still need to help feed him, dress him, change his nappies etc.

But because he sleeps through and only wakes at 4am we are not entitled to HRC. They have also said that they will be contacting people on CA to help them get back into work. If this includes a work fare placement they can shove it up their arse.

So I do wonder what the governments plan is. DS cannot access out of school childcare, and he isnt even in school full time at the moment. We will manage because we have made cutbacks, but there are many families who will really struggle.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 10/08/2012 10:16

They told me that before 6am counts as waking in the night..have you appealed?

DozyDuck · 10/08/2012 10:22

I'm really struggling to get back into work as DS doesn't sleep and can not get transport to special school (miles away, I have to take him) and can not access put of school clubs, even at his current school, as he needs 2:1.

Fortunately for me I used to work in a school who do want me back and are trying to find a way for me to be a specialised 1:1 TA for a child like mine with the hours I can do.

Even with that though it isn't guaranteed yet and will only be part time and term time. I don't know what I'd do if he wasn't at school! How can people look for jobs then??

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