To be concerned about what Liz Kendall is up to with disability benefits?

[Locutus2000]

The Times reporting just how enthusiastic Labour are about targeting the disabled.

I can only hope they are getting the worst ideas out there first, if not I dread to think what is coming in the upcoming review.

I was confident Labour would at worst be no worse than the Tories.

I was wrong.

Free archive link here.

This makes me feel sick.

I have a PIP review form to fill out. The last time I had an assessment it made me ill for several weeks. I have PTSD, and have had episodes of severe depression for over 20 years. I’ve been hospitalised and completely non-functional multiple times. This will be my third assessment in three years. Mental health services are pretty much non-existent for people like me, the ones they’ve given up on doing anything more than drugging into oblivion. I currently manage to work in a part-time position with a company that do provide reasonable adjustments for me. But I feel it’s just a matter of time before I end my life, I’m on borrowed time tbh. That’s what will happen, some of us will take ourselves out. I just wish the physician-assisted suicide was an option for people like. It should be, seeing as the general consensus is we’ve nothing to offer.

And where does his notability allowance come from?

I

The scheme that deals with Motability cars is also a national charity. And some people do have to pay out of their own pocket for adaptions to their cars.

Maybe if the public didn't get distracted by the other issues that are easier to target ( the vulnerable at the end of the day), is it possible we might instigate some change. If the public demanded it, could it change? Could we get somewhere by addressing these absolute leeches. Because these blood sucking leeches are sucking up a gigantic proportion of people's hard earned money with little concern from the public.

The longer people focus on the easier targets as we see on the thread the less likely that change will happen.

I don't know what the answer is but they need to put some serious thought into how to get people who are able back into work.

I fully support benefits for people who need it but it's being abused. My own brother in law hasn't worked for about 10 years due to mental health but get can afford to eat out constantly and goes to 3-4 different pub quizzes in a week as a hobby. Don't tell me there are no jobs he can do when is has a social life like that! There is just no incentive for him to work as he gets plenty without the stress of a job.

And would you have the same level of vitriol for someone who saved up their child benefit, and used that to pay for a car, or used it for a holiday? It is up to your Bil how he wishes to utilize his money.

DLA has a care component and a mobility component. To get a Motobiliy car, you need to get the high mobility component of DLA (which is usually for those who are wheelchair dependant). If you decide to get a Motobiliy car, you trade the mobility part of DLA for the car. So you lose the money. You cannot have both. Hope you can sleep better now.

His PIP money. And that is not "free". It is a payment given to level the field for people with disabilities. It is a financial recognition that being disabled costs money.
I am on benefits and bought a latte today. Was that "free"?

Nothing is even free, there is always someone who pays for it.

So yes, the taxpayer paid for your coffee. It wasn't free.

PIP money is not to level the playing field. It would take a lot more money to do that. It is to pay for additional care costs and transport costs.

I'd rather my taxes go on helping SEN provision in schools and MH practitioners than net zero policies. For me, it's a bigger crisis.

Look if you read my first post on this thread I specifically said that it annoyed me that my BIL was able to drive a car (which is paid for by the tax payer) ) and walk around vast shopping centres but insists he can never work again. I do think he should do something even if it’s only 10 hours a week. I’m not saying no one should get MA.

Someone on UC who works... who paid for their coffee?

Alot of people of unaffected by this don't realise how significant this problem is. It will directly impact the education of Neurotypical kids now and this will worsen. But I understand that if people don't have this thrust in their face how would they know?
I only know because I live it.

You can only get a motorbility car with enhanced rate PIP mobility component . the criteria for this is that you cannot walk or struggle to walk 20metres. Therefore how can he walk around vast shopping centres and still qualify for this? unless he's claiming it under the other PIP mobility descriptor of not being able to manage a journey himself without severe distress ( usually awarded due to MH issues). PIP is not related to whether you can work or not.

Sorry, wasn't it your coffee we were talking about?

Well never mind, if you, and others get their way, he will not be able to malinger on benefits for too much longer eh!

Many people use it to support basic living as their illness or condition has impacted their earning ability. Other eligible benefits would not necessarily be enough to enable a relatively basic standard of living.

Yes it is.
PIP is not awarded based on what additional costs you have. Once you get the money, you can use it as you please. Otherwise when people apply, they would have to justify what the money would be spent on, and reassessment would be focused on what you spend the money on. And the voucher idea was rightly thrown out. Plus, PIP is not means tested.

If he got a 10 hour job, he could still claim benefits - they would not be affected. ESA has permitted hours, and UC has a work allowance. He would not be costing the taxpayer any less. It would just be giving him extra money.

If I am on UC, but also work.. then who paid for my coffee?

Because going down that path is ridiculous. And is often used to bash benefit claimants.

Have just found put my DNephew who is in his teens has a Motability car. I was just talking about this thread and DH said his brother has a Motability car for his son. Needs to take him out regularly to keep him calm. DNephew is autistic. Not sure how far he can walk, but they have qualified for the Motability scheme and I don't imagine it's easy to do.

She’ll qualify as she gets older as the care need between her and a typical child her age get greater. At age 2 or 3 most children need constant care/supervision for waking hours that’s why it’s harder to get

@Purpleturtle46 @LizzieSiddal - the problem with many conditions is that one day one can do something they can't then do 6 remaining days of the week.

This upsets people. It upsets people because it doesn't fit neatly into a box. People also feel bitter thinking ' why has that person got out of slaving away all their life unlike me'.

You also have the unpredictability of illness. Your relative with MH concerns could fall back off the cliff and end up at the mercy of the non existent NHS MH services with a few days sick pay then nothing. That's terrifying if his condition is unpredictable.

Trying to access help via DWP is enough to drive people to the edge. Phones go unanswered and applications go months waiting for approval. With an unpredictable condition, that's terrifying.

Why are you so focused on these one individual cases. Why don't you come and join the organisations working to hold those robbing buggers in the Royal Family accountable? Why are your own relatives the focus of this? You have to ask yourself what this is really about.

The big IF.

Your benefits come from the tax payer.