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.

Also I’ve just realised that when you’re an inpatient, it counts as a change in circumstances, so your benefits would stop anyway, which makes the whole thing even more ridiculous, as they’re already “off the benefits” as it were.

I'd like to see GP's have more input into whether someone qualifies for PIP, preferably one who knows the applicant well. It won't happen because they'll want paying for filling out forms etc. I've been shouted at by GP's for helping alcohol dependent people to claim PIP. In my defense I have no choice but to do this in my job. I have tried to raise concerns I have tried to not do it. I help numerous alcoholics to claim PIP, they get awarded hundreds of extra pounds a month and some inevitably drink themselves to death. GP's know it is not good to give all this extra money to people with addictions. It should be spent on therapy instead, not that many engage with it.
I want to see DWP stop giving it to people with addictions until they are clearly on the way to recovery it is not helpful. Please don't anyone tell me I need a new job, I know I do. I'm sick to death of seeing how this money is wasted and abused. It is not a small minority of people either.

Only PIP stops after 28 days of someone being hospitalized. Other benefits like UC or ESA continue.

I’m surprised that it’s PIP that stops rather than the others, as that’s the one that isn’t means tested.

@Miley1967 this is another sad example of the fact there are not enough services to support alcoholics into recovery so their situation is not going to change without it in many cases. Some areas have nothing at all.

The other loss is how many of these people end up in hospital again and again on a loop drying out, being cared for and then out and back again a few weeks later .

Investment in all these services is vital but that's got to be paid for. The costs of these services are also significant.

I do believe there are many that could work if the right opportunity was there.

PIP is not for bills, and they still need to be paid when in hospital, hence why UC/ESA continue. PIP stops because you are getting care in hospital, and not independently at home (which is what PIP is for).

Some disabled people might do really well working from home part time. That might be all that's possible in their situation and that's great.

When I hear all this anti WFH rhetoric ( Trump tits and Farage) I think yes I understand and believe that some people will take the piss and maybe some work needs to be more office based.

However, this blanket idea that WFH is bad and WFH people are lazy because construction workers can't. That's just short sighted. It's one reason I look at Farage and think plonker, another private school toff pretending to be just like the everyday man. I fear alot of people will believe it though and not see the bigger picture.

That makes sense.

I think it's that PIP is for the extra costs of a disability which if you are in hospital long term I guess you may not have. Things like rent etc still need to be paid so benefits to cover that will continue.

It has all been explained umpteen times on the thread.

Plus the car is never owned by the person leasing it. So no one is getting a free car.

Actually it's PIP and DLA which continue, as they are non-means tested.

They don't continue past 28 days.

I misread, apologies.

It says they stop.

If you are aged 18 or over, payments you get of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment Scotland (ADP) and Attendance Allowance (AA) will stop after you have been in hospital for 28 days. If you are under 18 on the day you enter hospital, your DLA, Adult Disability Payment Scotland or PIP payments will not stop

They only continue if you were under 18 when admitted to hospital

That's the problem with it. Because I believe quite strongly a significant proposition use it for bills because they have to. The benefit itself is very problematic in its criteria and accessibility.

Who really uses it to enable them to work? We'll never be able to quantify it.

I had PIP in hospital half dead with significant illness. I knew it would be cut if I wasn't better and out fast. It was covering my bills and rent whilst I was fighting to stay alive at the time.

Yes, I was incorrect.

Exactly . People use it for bills, rent etc because other benefits designed to cover those things are largely inadequate. It is hard to live on basic UC although easier if you get the LCWRA element and all your housing covered because you live in social housing but many in private rented or with a mortgage have to use their PIP to prevent themselves becoming homeless. Imagine if you suddenly become ill, too ill to work and have a 1k mortgage to pay a month. UC will give no help with this unless you want to go down the route of claiming support for mortgage interest which puts a charge on your home and is just a loan. So people end up using PIP for mortgages and to pay extortionate private rent that their UC rent element does not cover.

The trouble is unless it’s a medical issue or something you can take medication for the gp’s wouldn’t have a clue about the person. My son was diagnosed autistic age 6, he was discharged from paediatrics on diagnosis and we’ve had no health input since, he’ll be moving onto pip soon, he has an ehcp and is in special school so I will have that evidence but he’s been to the gp only once or twice since he was 6, as he’s fairly lucky health wise and is a bloody nightmare to get him to go to the gp even when he should so the gp couldn’t give any input other than what I would tell them

There are many threads on here where relatives have had to go into hospital to help the patient. So not always getting all the care in hospital.

They are not claiming on the basis of being an alcoholic though, surely not? The fact of the matter is that they are able to spend their money, as they see fit, even to their own detriment sadly. I agree that there should be more GP involvement in the process.

Are you saying you help people whose only issue is alcoholism claim PiP?

I've only ever known it to be due to a whole bunch of co-morbid issues.

Yes, I do wonder if the cost of living is partially to blame for the increase in people applying for PIP. There have been a few posters on here who have said they would qualify, but have not applied as they do not need the money.
For a disabled person on a low wage, or not working at all, they will be using the PIP to top up their wage/benefits.
I do know a few women who do not work (they are not able to), but claim PIP so they can contribute to the household. They can't claim ESA/UC as their spouse earns too much, or has too much in savings. Another reason making PIP means tested would be a bad idea.... it could lead to the women I mention being totally financially dependant on a man, which is never recommended.

I do know a few people on PIP who do work, and they would not be able to work without their PIP. One is a chap who is in a motorised wheelchair (one of those high backed ones). He has an adapted car via the Motability scheme (so uses his PIP to pay for it) that enables him to get to work.

Some don't have many other health issues, some have other health issues. The issue is the money just goes on more drink, but as someone else said they have free will as to how to spend it.

I think the real issue is disability benefit are being used to manage the cost of living crisis.