‘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

Oof. Some of the posts on this thread have a strong whiff of "I'm alright, they'll never come for me". Don't bank on it.

Disabled people turning on other disabled people is pretty grim.

Why, does mine not count?

It really is.

Well said.

Genetic conditions where there is no treatment, you just have to get on with it.

My DH and I occasionally go out to concerts, out to eat and even gasp on holiday (with much tedious research beforehand as so many places are not wheelchair friendly). I didn't realise this meant my DH was not seriously disabled.

"Can you give some examples?"

Severe learning disability. If a person is healthy they won't see a consultant after childhood. My son has a severe learning disability and autism and didn't see a paediatrician after about age 10 and there is no equivalent for adults (which he is now).

Yep. My DH does see his consultant once a year where it is "how have you been, sorry still no cure or treatment that'll make a difference, see you next year". It is rather pointless.

I go out for meals about once a month. I usually end up in bed for a few days afterwards. I’d love to go to a concert but the last one I tried (6 years ago) was too much for me and I had to leave early, but god forbid if I’d managed to stay and actually enjoyed myself! According to some on here that would mean I’m capable of holding down a job and not need any support at all.

"Can you give some examples?"

Stroke.

Again, this ridiculous, exaggerated rhetoric of "turning on other disabled people" if you dare to disagree or question the current system. Sorry, but I maintain my right to think differently from you. I don't agree that being able to do any and every type of social activity means someone necessarily should be allowed disability benefits.

If you think that that someone who is in that situation should receive full benefits, fine. We disagree. But stooping to hyperbolic "you're TURNING on disabled people" in response is absurd.

@PandoraSox If someone is seeing a consultant once a year, then that consultant could sign off on a benefits application if they felt the person was unwell enough to need them.

Are you genuinely unable to conceive of disabilities where someone is so seriously unwell that they are not concerned about losing their benefits?

Your responses seem driven purely by ideological anger.

@ForeverDelayedEpiphany it seems we can't use PM on mumsnet right now. I wish you all the best.

Disabled people having unapproved opinions seems to be the truly challenging thing, right, @Wildflowers99 ?

@verysmellyjelly you may have missed my reply; why is it "very telling"? What does it tell you about me?

My DH has a serious, incurable, progressive neurological condition that will only ever get worse. His PIP award is the highest rates and light touch review every 10 years.

Even so, I am under absolutely no illusion that if benefits are taken from one cohort of disabled people, that could easily lead to more and more disabled people being targeted. It is naive of you to think that you might not ever be on the receiving end of swingeing cuts.

Disabled people need to stick together, not snipe about which disabilities are more deserving than others.

That’s not a reason to just keep paying more and more billions though is it? What do you want cut to keep funding this?

This. @verysmellyjelly I think most of us are worried about our benefits being taken off us no matter how severely unwell we all. I have seen people with extreme lifelong conditions be refused PIP and have to appeal. People who are non verbal and have the mental capacity of toddlers kind of level of disability. It does happen.

I think I should have made clearer that conditions change for most people - sadly, deterioration is the most common. However, maturity, medication and technology can sometimes make things better for some. Even if a diagnosis is unchanged, there is often change in the ways in which the condition affects a person

I am personally affected by a degenerative chronic illness which has deteriorated enormously in the last 6 months and am wrestling with a decision about whether I should inform the DWP. I don't think that I can cope with the hassle involved, though.

@iwentjasonwaterfalls I don't respond to baiting.

@DaveyTheCavy I wouldn't say I'm totally unworried, in that my concern is that the entire benefits system may lose public buy in and will essentially no longer exist. That's why I think it needs to be much more rigorous (by, in effect, cutting the least in need tranche).

I don't agree that there is a great need to be personally concerned if you fall within the most in need tranche, if the system continues to be sustainable. But it will not be sustainable if more and more people keep applying and being approved. So no, I would not say I have no worries! But I don't think it's honest or realistic to imply that everyone is equally at risk of losing their benefits.

How am I baiting? You said it's very telling, I asked you how and you're refusing to respond. If anything, you're the one doing the baiting.

Is it very telling that several other people have responded saying that they're also worried about benefits being taken off them?

I know exactly what you were implying, just wanted to see if you had the balls to go through and say it. Clearly not.

@PandoraSox So are you saying you think the entire benefits system will collapse and no benefits will be paid at all, to even the most in need claimants? Because if that's what you're concerned about, then yes, I do share that concern and in that extreme scenario, I would also be worried about losing benefits. But if that's what you're referring to, I would think you'd have some focus on securing a sustainable system.

How bizarre. When you tried to do that to me, earlier in the thread, and I refused to participate, you accused me of trying to shut down the discussion.