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.

The reason for so much fear and upset on this subject is because so many people know that those who CANNOT do it, either completely or without help, will be hounded to literal death.

There isn't anything wrong with that though, is there? I mean, there are many days when my DS cannot use his wheelchair because he's had a recent dislocation of one of his shoulders, or an elbow. That means he can't get to the bus stop. So he needs to pay for a taxi, and he needs to order food delivered rather than go out shopping. That's your increased costs of being disabled right there. It isn't about carers at all.

If he gets help from other people that is fine.

He doesn't, PIP isn't for that.

Do you not think local authorities make redundancies? Mine has stripped back plenty of staff and we are relatively stable compared to those who are close to, or have declared, bankruptcy.

There are jobs in private schools, private hospitals and private organisations for social workers etc.

I am a professional employed by the local government and I’d say I could get around 10% more money in the private sector. Currently, I like my job and my working pattern and there’s a whole host of reasons why I won’t move.

PIP is for the extra costs of disability above a certain amount. If someone does not need help with care, or extra travel costs such as taxis, then extra costs will be minimal.

There is already an enforced exodus from the public sector as they are making jobs redundant left, right and centre!

Wow I wonder what extra costs are involved in not being able to drive 😲

PIP is not awarded based on what your costs are. It is awarded based on how your disability affects you.
Everyone that has the same award gets the same amount.
Personalising it to each individual would be a logistical and very costly nightmare.

Loads of people can not drive. Owning and running a car is more expensive than public transport. I know. I took public transport for years because I could not afford a car.

some people on disability benefits do work and can work as you don’t have to be incapable of work to receive benefits for your disability.

Therefore
For those who ‘opt out’ it’s clear it’s not those who can’t work as they are in no position to opt out.

The thread is about all disability benefits so it’s not safe to assume all comments are referring to those who can’t work at all.

It should be based on whether you need care and extra costs such as taxis. The fact it is not just means that people use it on their living expenses.

Not being able to drive due to disability is totally different to not being able to drive because you never learned, or can't afford it.

Oh well 🤷

I receive PIP (lower rate mobility) for EpidermolysisBullosa. This causes fragile skin which blisters easily.

I get it as EB significantly impacts my mobility - I need aids to walk (dressings to help stick the layers of my skin together and to cushion blisters and protect my fragile skin). I am also very limited on what footwear I can use and have special socks (about £12 a pair!) My dressings, lotions and gait all mean my shoes and socks wear out quickly and need replacing.

I also need to catch buses and taxis (for journeys most people could walk (unable to drive due to another medical condition but my feet would make driving difficult). These are all extra costs. PIP entitles me to a Freedom pass and disabled rail card which helps a lot.

Not everyone who gets PIP will have care needs, or substantial enough care needs go get the care component.

It isn't though. How it is now, is the DWP way, not JoyousGreyOrca way.

People use it on living expenses because they can't afford to live on just ESA/UC

You do not get benefits because you can't afford to drive or get lessons. And I was that person. We now just about manage to run a car.
I know not being able to drive due to disability is different, but it does not incur other costs if you can still use public transport. Public transport is cheaper. We spend more running a car than we used to spend when we just took public transport

I have colleagues who have extremely high physical care needs but they’re excellent at their desk based jobs. They can use phones, emails, their brains etc.
So many people lack basic knowledge.

If a spouse or dependent lives in the property it is exempt

The point is that a lot of people cannot get public transport due to their disability.
I live near London and the number of stations including tube stations that remain completely inaccessible- is shocking!

It might be cheaper but it's unreliable and doesn't take you everywhere. It's also not always accessible

This is part of the white paper/ research that was completed last September and is/has been reviewed.
Labour at the time of the GE said they would consider the finding and suggestions but didn’t say anymore on it as it wasn’t officially published till after the GE.

Not everyone can use public transport, and taxis are expensive. Some people can't even use taxis, and have to book specialist transport... which makes their lives very small as it is hard to get such transport for anything other than appointments.

Which would cost tax payers more and then there's the admin involved. Some of us already have enough disability admin.

And if you do it for disability benefits, you do it for all benefits

What’s your point
Clearly they are within the category of disabled and able to work then …..obviously!