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Original poster

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

1000 replies

Locutus2000 · 01/02/2025 13:54

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.

Long-term sick will need to look for jobs in benefits overhaul

Claimants could face cuts of £5,000 a year as government prepares for rows with backbenchers and campaigners over bringing down £65bn sickness bill

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/long-term-sick-will-need-to-look-for-jobs-in-benefits-overhaul-kzxr3hjpw

OP posts:
Thread gallery
20
JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 15:57

I will not go into a care home unless I have dementia. Even if it means I am unsafe at home.

Tittat50 · 03/02/2025 15:58

JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 15:57

I will not go into a care home unless I have dementia. Even if it means I am unsafe at home.

That's what I mean. Many people would rather just die. I know not all.

That's probably another thread anyway. 🤦

FreedomandPeace · 03/02/2025 16:02

JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 15:57

I will not go into a care home unless I have dementia. Even if it means I am unsafe at home.

I agree Joyous but have you seen some of the threads on here. Children and social services seem to be able to take that decision away from the very people they are supposed to care about.
It seems if we are lucky enough to get to pension age and beyond people are treated like children again.

Original poster
Locutus2000 · 03/02/2025 16:14

Tittat50 · 03/02/2025 15:56

It's a bit problematic when you look at it like this.

I'm not sure what the original DLA was based on and if that's different to this. I don't know who thought up PIP but it's perimeters reflect someone out of touch with the groups who apply and why they do.

Show quote history

PIP was brought in to drag people off DLA, many losing their awards as a result.

Criteria have softened a bit, especially regarding MH issues.

You don't just tell the DWP you are depressed and get a PIP award, it has to have a substantial impact on day to day life and be backed up by plenty of evidence.

OP posts:
JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 16:16

FreedomandPeace · 03/02/2025 16:02

I agree Joyous but have you seen some of the threads on here. Children and social services seem to be able to take that decision away from the very people they are supposed to care about.
It seems if we are lucky enough to get to pension age and beyond people are treated like children again.

Edited
Show quote history

If you have capacity, no one can force you out of your home. They can put pressure on though.

JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 16:17

Locutus2000 · 03/02/2025 16:14

PIP was brought in to drag people off DLA, many losing their awards as a result.

Criteria have softened a bit, especially regarding MH issues.

You don't just tell the DWP you are depressed and get a PIP award, it has to have a substantial impact on day to day life and be backed up by plenty of evidence.

Show quote history

But it is claimed by many people who do not need carers.

Pussycat22 · 03/02/2025 16:28

Why should those who opt out of working all their lives be subsidised by the taxpayer?

CarnivorousHipPain · 03/02/2025 16:31

Pussycat22 · 03/02/2025 16:28

Why should those who opt out of working all their lives be subsidised by the taxpayer?

This thread is about disabled people. It's not optional to be disabled.

Pussycat22 · 03/02/2025 16:31

catlover123456789 · 02/02/2025 18:38

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

Do you?

PandoraSox · 03/02/2025 16:32

Pussycat22 · 03/02/2025 16:28

Why should those who opt out of working all their lives be subsidised by the taxpayer?

Oh, can my DH opt out of being paraplegic due to a rare MND? Who knew?

pointythings · 03/02/2025 16:36

JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 15:57

I will not go into a care home unless I have dementia. Even if it means I am unsafe at home.

I have a Switzerland fund. I realise how privileged I am. My DC are fully aware.

XenoBitch · 03/02/2025 16:37

Kitten1982 · 03/02/2025 14:05

To be fair, it would cost me £30k to have a lift installed in my place because I’ve already reached the threshold for govt funded household adaptions. I can’t get it because the minute I’d get near to being able to afford it, the govt would stop me having money to live on. A lot of disabled people need to save to self-fund important things like motability adjustments, but the UC rules have made it quite literally impossible for disabled people to be able to self-fund basic needs. It’s extremely unfair and ill thought out.

UC also means that, if you’re disabled but your partner earns above x amount, you receive £0 in UC. That sounds like common sense until you think about the fact that it robs disabled people of all financial independence. As 1 in 3 of us is at risk of domestic abuse, removing financial independence from disabled people makes it impossible to leave. Not only due to UC, but it took me 20 years to leave my abuser because the system makes it so impossibly hard for disabled people to escape.

Show quote history

Yep, I would love for my DP to live with me. It would help me a lot, and maybe with the support at home, I could look into a bit of volunteering or something. And I could support him too. But, I would no longer be able to claim UC (my only income). He doesn't even earn that much, but has too much in savings.

pointythings · 03/02/2025 16:38

PandoraSox · 03/02/2025 16:32

Oh, can my DH opt out of being paraplegic due to a rare MND? Who knew?

Show quote history

Quite. My DS would love to opt out of his disabilities, especially the constant dislocations. And he has worked, and will again - he is relatively lucky. Honestly, some people!

TigerRag · 03/02/2025 16:41

JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 16:17

But it is claimed by many people who do not need carers.

Show quote history

You don't need a carer. It just has to be reasonable for you to need the help

FreedomandPeace · 03/02/2025 16:42

PandoraSox · 03/02/2025 16:32

Oh, can my DH opt out of being paraplegic due to a rare MND? Who knew?

Show quote history

That’s quite inflammatory as clearly @Pussycat22 wasnt referring to people who can’t work

If you can’t work you’re not in the category of ‘opting out’ .
That’s what opting out means

Original poster
Locutus2000 · 03/02/2025 16:43

TigerRag · 03/02/2025 16:41

You don't need a carer. It just has to be reasonable for you to need the help

Show quote history

It's simply an amount given to help with the cost of disability based on need. There is no requirement to justify what you do with the money.

OP posts:
JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 16:44

TigerRag · 03/02/2025 16:41

You don't need a carer. It just has to be reasonable for you to need the help

Show quote history

But if you really need the help, you would make sure you get it. Plenty of people get PIP for "needs" that nobody actually helps them with.

PandoraSox · 03/02/2025 16:45

FreedomandPeace · 03/02/2025 16:42

That’s quite inflammatory as clearly @Pussycat22 wasnt referring to people who can’t work

If you can’t work you’re not in the category of ‘opting out’ .
That’s what opting out means

Show quote history

What I posted was not inflammatory. Pussycat is posting on a thread about disability benefits and suggested those on them are opting out of work. Which is at best insensitive.

Flopsythebunny · 03/02/2025 16:46

BIossomtoes · 03/02/2025 13:25

And quite right too. If you’re in a care home your house is redundant.

Show quote history

Not if your spouse is still living in it. Could they can't make you sell half a house

JenniferBooth · 03/02/2025 16:46

FreedomandPeace · 03/02/2025 16:02

I agree Joyous but have you seen some of the threads on here. Children and social services seem to be able to take that decision away from the very people they are supposed to care about.
It seems if we are lucky enough to get to pension age and beyond people are treated like children again.

Edited
Show quote history

its usually those adult children who have been run ragged caring because the elderly person has insisted they dont need care. Dont tell half the story

TigerRag · 03/02/2025 16:46

JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 16:44

But if you really need the help, you would make sure you get it. Plenty of people get PIP for "needs" that nobody actually helps them with.

Show quote history

Tell me you've never tried getting help without telling me. Plenty of us can't get the help we need

Some of the criteria is awarded for using an aid

XenoBitch · 03/02/2025 16:48

JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 16:44

But if you really need the help, you would make sure you get it. Plenty of people get PIP for "needs" that nobody actually helps them with.

Show quote history

That is how the system works. People are awarded PIP based on their disability affects them, but they don't have to justify how that money is spent. Someone with agoraphobia might get PIP because they can't go out alone... but if they just never go out, does that mean they should not get the money?

And as has been said a few times now, many people are using their PIP money to pay for rent and bills because of the rising costs... and sometimes this is to the detriment of the care they could have been getting with that money.

Miley1967 · 03/02/2025 16:49

JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 16:17

But it is claimed by many people who do not need carers.

Show quote history

It's claimed also by many people who claim to be caring for other people for 35 hours a week.

Flopsythebunny · 03/02/2025 16:49

BIossomtoes · 03/02/2025 13:43

It’s not a punch in the face. You’d have to have been asleep for decades not to know you’ll be self funding your care if you need it. Why should someone with hundreds of thousands in assets be subsidised by the taxpayer?

Show quote history

They shouldn't. If it can't be sold because a spouse is living in it, a charge should be put on half of the property to cover care home debts

frenchnoodle · 03/02/2025 16:56

JoyousGreyOrca · 03/02/2025 16:17

But it is claimed by many people who do not need carers.

Show quote history

But they do need more help day to day. My brother has epilepsy, can't drive and never will, but gets low rate because the impact tohus life is higher than an average person.

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