To be terrified about PIP?

[BobbyBiscuits]

I've tried to blank all this out for ages, but today it hit me when the government basically are saying I'm going to (they want me to) have my PIP cut off?
My main illnesses are severe depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder and severe anorexia. I've severe PTSD symptoms and also think I may have ADHD but have not been able to get diagnosed due to phobia of MH services since I got sectioned.
I now have physical symptoms also and severe osteperosis which I put on my last forms. But had no assessment for several years.
I'm praying this is BS from the Tories and they can't do it anyway as they'll be kicked out.
Or could labour still continue this assault against disabled people?
It would halve my already tiny income, other half is from ESA, and they could kick me off that too even though I can't do anything!?

What do people think?

Please try not to worry (I know, easier said than done).
Firstly, they can't do anything to your PIP award until at least the renewal date, and even then renewals are taking so long you've almost certainly got a few more months after that.
Secondly, the wheels of govt move slowly and it will take more time than this Govt has left to actually do anything about disability benefits, whatever Sunak thinks.
I don't get why they think poverty will encourage disabled people into work.
If they actually wanted disabled people working there are many better ways to achieve that, such as tax incentives for companies to employ disabled people on a flexible basis, or an easily accessible fund for workplace adaptations, or a flexible benefits system that allows people to pick up short-term work when they are able but supports them seamlessly when they are not.

It is scary and it's been on my mind a lot, as someone with a fluctuating condition and poor MH. My advice is try to put it to the back of your mind as best you can, the current government do not have time to implement these changes. If Labour get in and decide to push ahead with these plans there will be a lot of push back from disability charities and organisations. Most of these things get 'watered down' in the end. It's so hard not to worry though.

Are you referring to the piece I've read today saying Sunak is pushing for huge reform with PIP, wanting people to be given better treatment rather than money, vouchers for things rather than cash and mysterious 'alternatives' to cash (not sure what would pay for my mobility vehicle, magic beans?)...

It is voter bait for the Daily Mail readers who wouldn't normally vote tory. PIP hasn't managed to switch over from DLA since its last reform, and whilst I agree it isn't fit for purpose and was never going to be, the reality is reforming PIP and using vouchers for some and not others is an expensive and wholly unworkable system.

He's dangling a carrot out for the right wing BNP types who he hopes will overlook his own ancestry as they froth at the mouth and trip over themselves to smack down the disabled 'idle dossers'... because he is absolutely fucking desperate to win the GE, and knows the Tories are struggling massively.

It’s terrifying as someone who has dealt with severe mental health issues in the past.

However I’m not convinced it’ll actually happen. An election is looming and I don’t believe the conservatives will stay in.

Chill.

This government will be gone within a few months, and their appalling policy dropped like the steaming piece of shit it is.

Reforms will often only apply to new claimants, transitional protection would apply and it would never get through the HoL.

If I’m off work, I feel depressed. Working keeps me happy. There are too many people of working age that are suffering from depression/anxiety mildly who working will help.
A reason to get up, mixing with people, having an aim in life, achieving something daily.
They are the people who will have PIP stopped.

You recently responded to another poster asking this, by saying something along the lines of 'they aren't able to do anything, and the Tories would be out before 2025' as well an expletive about them that I can't disagree with!😀

I'd look at what's changed your mindset in the last week,and tackle that, because I'm not sure what some think is likely to be on the cards, that we are unlikely to be able to do much about, will help with some of what you've described.

I would say I wouldn't class them as 'mild MH conditions' which seems to be what they are currently talking about 'cracking down on.' if that's any help.

Campaigning for UBI as a starting point for all, may be the smartest thing you can do to influence political reactions of how to deal with an out of control welfare bill and apparently often poorly equipped younger workforce, which is part of a genuine big concern outside of this government.
It's the massive uptake of PIP applications by the under 25's that is particularly being held up as proof the system is unsustainable, outside of the political posturing of those who are trying to appeal to a type of voter.

There are people that will need to work and will have Pip stopped but there are other, probably like yourself, who really can’t work and will keep it. I quite like one of the ideas that is being debated that pip could be replaced by grants and money back for paying for care needs, pip was never supposed to be a benefit instead of working, it’s for additional care needs.

But how will the difference between mild and severe be identified @FeetupTvon ? I worry about people who have difficulties speaking up about how they feel and have no one to advocate for them (such as myself) sometimes I'm ok other times I'm suicidal.. I've lost hope in services and no longer engage. What about people like me? Should we give up? (Oh I work by the way, I don't claim benefits but I sometimes wonder if I'd be better off having a break from work.. I worked through a MH breakdown 2 years ago and it wasn't good)

PiP is for the ongoing additional costs of being disabled.

There has never been a suggestion it is for one-off costs.

PIP is not an out of work benefit.

If they want to replace PIP with non monetary things then they should really consider increasing UC. Many people use PIP and ESA to top up their UC as it simply is not enough to live on.

PIP was never supposed to be a benefit instead of working, you’re right, because it’s an in work benefit. Some people are working 40hrs a week and still being awarded it. It’s for the additional costs of being disabled.

Oh and absolutely we should have UBI. It's the only thing that makes sense now.. especially with the job market as it is.

None of us in our family receive PIP but I have an adult dd with ASD and the irony is that the one thing that does make her severely anxious and depressed is having to mix with people in an office setting. That doesn’t mean she can’t work though! Just that provisions have 😪 to be made to accommodate her particular difficulties.

So although the majority of people may benefit from the interaction that working in an office brings, it’s really important that this is not applied as a blanket policy, as it could be disastrous for some autistic employees for whom wfh, or working independently, is a godsend. Some people thrive and are far more productive in the “safety” of a home setting.

They won't get in again so you can stop worrying.

Try not to worry. I'm not sure how workable this policy would be given the majority of PIP claimants are in work!

Yes exactly, so the idea of reimbursement for costs might be a good one. It’s not supposed to be instead of working, although some people might not work.

Another one here to say don’t worry. This lot will be out soon as they well know so they’re scraping the barrel and as per, taking it on the most vulnerable. It won’t come to fruition

They brought in UC over 10 years ago and it’s still getting rolled out. They’ve pushed the date back more times than I’ve had hot dinners!

But what about people who use PIP to reduce their working hours so don't need anything tangible to be reimbursed for? The money just means they can and do work just less hours.

I think if they get in again it'll be gulags and enforced euthanasia 😫

I don't think you need to worry.

I think it will start with recipients who work and get PIP. They will be looking more closely at the rules around working and disability and changing the criteria.

Plenty of people who work, are in receipt of PIP, actually.

But the purpose of PIP is that it is an IN WORK benefit so anyone can apply for it, because disabled people can and do work.

I do think there are issues with PIP. The idea that it’s to cover the additional costs of being disabled just makes no sense. Many people have disabilities that come with additional costs, eg having to take a taxi instead of a bus, but don’t meet the cut off for PIP because they can prepare a meal and wash themselves.