‘Game the system’ disability benefits

[Tomatochocolate]

WTF
just read a bbc article about welfare reforms

Apparently ministers think that it’s an incentive to claim disability benefits as the incentive is no work commitments on UC. That claimants ‘game the system’

It’s a long process and really hard to get awarded dla or pip. It’s not just ticking a box that says ‘I’m too sick to work’.

AIBU to think this is just horrific

You absolutely need evidence for DLA. You can't just claim something on a form without any medical evidence.

Can you? My bed is broken... I am sleeping on the sofa because the natural caricature of my spine is not a V shape.
My fridge is also broken... freezes everything. I have to throw out loads of food.
I have had to pay to have private dental treatment because there are no NHS dentist anymore.
My microwave is a gamble as to if it actually cooks or not as it is about 25 years old.
My TV is dying. I am back in the 80s in regards to what it actually plays.
I have an elderly dog who costs more in vet bills as she ages.
My trainers let in water. My leggings have holes in, and my cheap Primark clothing gets worn fast.

Expenses are not just food and bills.

You managed in 2011. It is 2025.

@RedHot2025

Exactly. People say you need medical evidence, you don't, hence People sharing what to say to fame the system.

It's embarrassing that you think this.

Severe mental impairement disregard of CT is linked to PIP because you ahve to have PIP or AA in place to be able to claim it.

"Neither child has many care needs, can feed, toilet shower themselves, out and about unsupervised but on the forms encouraged to say they need watching over 24/7 when they don't. So they are exaggerating their needs massively"

Needing watching 24/7 is not enough need to give max DLA.

@richardosmanstrousers You are not participating in the spaces where people are sharing information on how to cheat in the process.

Oh, I didn't know that. Thanks.

@XenoBitch I'm so sorry that your dog isn't well. Animals are the greatest joy in my life amongst much illness.

Context?

I think it’s incredibly sad that there are people out there who actively choose a life relying on benefits. You’ve not got any control over your life basically. Money = freedom. You’re at the whim of the government of the day. There could be a government in the future who decides scrap all benefits and then you’ll be totally stuck. I’m incredibly lucky and am in a job where if I need extra money to go on that holiday to Spain I just work overtime. I can have what I want (as long as I work) someone on benefits can’t do that.
Also what a boring life, work brings so much more than money. Social life, skills, keeps you occupied….
Anyway, personally I feel sorry for people who actively choose to be reliant on others. I think in reality they make up a very small proportion of the population.

She is very old, so had a lot of niggling things going on. The £50 consult and meds add up. But she is my life and family. An absolute blessing.

@XenoBitch She sounds absolutely wonderful. Much love to her. They are beyond price.

I do think Pip is an intensive process and we should care for people who can’t work. However, I do think it can be played and symptoms can be exaggerated. Plus assessments are done over the phone whereas I do think they should be face to face.

The DLA form is brutal. It is long and it is mentally draining. There is also a timeframe to complete it. The evidence you have to provide is extensive. It’s then months for a decision. Added to looking after a child with additional needs and attending all the meetings and appointments. It isn’t easy or free money. We are lucky that currently we can work and still meet the child’s needs. But it is also possible that in the future we won’t be able to. There are parents I know that have had to give up work to care for a child with additional needs. It’s only right that those parents don’t have to keep looking for a job, they already have one.

PIP is not for people that can't work.

Thing is, sweetcheeks, very few people actively choose to be dependent on others. It is a shit position to be in, but once you're in it, it's difficult to get out if for multiple complex reasons. Because you're right, you are beholden to the state, judged harshly and looked down on and have zero security if policies change. But then, anyone can lose everything - you lose your job, your industry becomes obsolete, training for a new career costs money you don't have, you accrue debt, you lose your home, you suffer ill health, you have caring responsibilities, the list goes on and on. At any moment anyone without significant assets or support could face state dependency where the only choice is starve on the streets or start tugging your forlock. It's great that there is a safety net, but the current economic climate and rising cost of living traps you in it quite often.

Oh interesting, the couple of people I know who claim it don’t work so I assumed that was the criteria.

I am in two minds about this. I have a disabled teenager who’s only income is PIP and needs a very high level of care.
i also know people who get the same award as him on the grounds of mental health who claim they can’t go out alone and have had professionals to verify this.. yet live relatively normal lives and certainly do not need the high level of help they claim to.
i think there could be a system whereby PIP pays for good MH interventions and timely support for those in need, to support them back into work and/or support them to be more functional . Many people with MH concerns feel very disempowered and disconnected from society because they help they need has huge waiting lists etc

and you can't claim for the first 3 months, even if your child has a diagnosis where it is obvious they aren't going to suddenly improve during that time.

I had to give up work to care for my child. I honestly wouldn't know what I'd do if I was expected to work or what I'd be expected to actually do with my son whilst I worked.

Nope, many people are able to work because they can get PIP.
It is to put disabled people on a level playing field with everyone else.

But it doesn’t does it? You won’t be on a level playing field if you have a commute. You won’t be on a level playing field if you have twins in nursery when you banked on having 1 baby. You won’t be on a level playing field if you have to write your car off.

Life is just far too multifaceted to assume paying 1 group of people a flat rate of money ‘equals the playing field for everyone’

A normal commute, kids in nursery, a car that got wrote off.... well, you choose that commute, you choose to have a kid, and you chose to have a car thay might blow up.
No one chooses disabilities.

Just pointing out that disabilities and chronic health conditions are not. a. choice. Which is what your examples fall under largely.

Facebook marketplace sorted me out for all that quite cheaply. You can get a microwave for £5, otherwise try Freecycle. People give loads away on there.

OK, so because FB marketplace exists, I should get less in benefits?
I have had awful experience with marketplace. I wont touch it again.