To be frightened about the Government’s plans for benefits reform?

[PilgorTheGoat]

I am one of the millions of people currently on long term sickness benefits. I receive the LCWRA element of UC and PIP due to poor mental health and autism. I have severe anxiety and depression and I am awaiting an appointment to see if I also have PTSD due to sexual abuse in my childhood.

I have tried every element of support offered to me. I’m maxed out on 2 different types of antidepressants. I have had back-to-back (excluding the 6 month wait in between) 12 week sessions of counselling offered via the NHS. I am on a waiting list for intensive CBT due to my possible PTSD. I am currently having twice weekly private, video counselling appointments.

I can’t leave my house alone due to panic attacks. I struggle to meet my own care needs and my husband has to do a lot of the work for us both (although he works full time). I have a very understanding friend whom I force myself to go for a short walk with twice a week in order to stop myself becoming completely imprisoned at home but I find this very distressing and we have to take the same route each time.

I am so, so scared about the government’s plans to end sickness benefits for people like me. We don’t have a load of spare cash, we’re just about getting by. There is no support available. I’ve taken everything offered and my husband has been very proactive in seeking out other services for me to be involved with. I’d love to be better, I’d love not to live in fear but there is no help.

Happens a lot. And it’s a vicious circle - as you have found out to your cost. I’m really sorry you found yourself at the shitty end of the system.

Disagree then.

https://amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/03/britain-economy-society

That does not mean that we are a poor Country now, does it? There is always money to be found, for what suits this Government.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-to-announce-largest-ever-military-aid-package-to-ukraine-on-visit-to-poland

With respect ‘there is always money to be found’ sounds a bit like ‘Brexit means Brexit’ - just a meaningless mantra. Ukraine is of utmost importance as the global security threat is incredibly high. We can’t spend all our money on the benefits system, so ‘proving’ money is being spent on other things doesn’t mean we have loads spare.

@GoodnightAdeline Here’s an idea, seeing as you’re full of them; why don’t you (as an able-bodied person) try opening a coffee van. Little side hustle

It just proves that the Government has the money for what it deems important enough. Unfortunately for the most vulnerable people in Society, the Government is not afraid to loudly declare how little value they place on them, and their well being. This gives the green light to people, to think that they have the right to be bold in voicing their opinions on how certain groups of people should be dealt with. Such as suggesting wholly unsuitable ventures, in the guise of supposedly being helpful. If the Government was really interested, they would fix the NHS, people would get the treatment they need, and many of those people could indeed re-enter the workplace. But alas, that is not their "plan".

So how much would they have to spend on benefits for you to deem them as viewing the matter importantly enough? Do you have a figure?

Congenital and permanent conditions which will never change shouldn’t be reassessed over and over again. It’s a waste of time and tax payers’ money.

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/news/uks-first-gene-therapy-baby-celebrates-21st-birthday/

Things can change for the better.

I don't see any reason not to reassess people's claims to ensure they're not receiving benefits they no longer require.

"We are no longer a wealthy country and we need to get used to that."

• we shouldn't have left the EU then, @GoodnightAdeline

You think it's right that those of us with congenital conditions that haven't got better and for which there's no cure or no treatment for, should be reassessed?

And there's backlogs. Isn't it better to sort those out instead of targeting people like me?

No I don't have a figure@GoodnightAdeline

@LadyKenya Take no notice. She’s being facetious

Yes, you most likely are right@KittyCollar . I am not being drawn into giving any figures though. That is not in my remit.

Just take no notice. She probs struggling with a big unaffordable mortgage which has made her full of bitter resentment. I’ve seen and heard it all before.

FFS. Now people are arguing that Brexit equals a perpetual right to unlimited government funding regardless of clinical need.

How would the government know there's been no change in your circumstances without assessing?

I expect the vast majority of those decisions could be made using database filters, without you even having to be contacted, but the government is bureaucratic and useless.

I don't think anybody is targeting you. This is just the way that a vast inefficient organisation works.

Your envy is seeping through the screen.

Well for a start there's no treatment or cure

So why do you object to being assessed, if there's no chance of your prognosis changing?

Is it really that big an inconvenience to be assessed every couple of years?

There seems to be a bit of a dichotomy in this thread.

1. We demand tailored help for our individual needs.
2. We object to being assessed to see what our individual needs are.

My envy of what precisely? Disabled people? I have a very comfortable life thank you but that doesn’t stop me caring about those less fortunate unlike yourself who has been sniping and goading and being generally unkind.

You've made three comments about what you think my earnings might be. I'm getting a massive chip on shoulder/jealously vibe from you.

@ThisOldThang You seem to think you’re some kind of political commentator. Don’t try to outsmart me. No doubt you’ll be queuing up to vote for another shafting when the polling stations open.