Do people really think PIP claimants are fraudsters?!

[Greedybilly]

As someone with a chronic illness in the middle of claiming PIP I think it's important to point out it's very stressful to go through the process and actually get the benefit.
To those who were inferring it's an easy blag - I would say yes there will always be a few scammers who claim fraudulently ( though god knows how tbh?) the majority have to struggle for years/go through appeals/give up.
Just saying this for balance as I feel MN is turning slghtly into the Daily Fail.

I've worked in welfare rights for 18 years and have been doing PIP applications since it was introduced. All my clients are working age and all have health problems, so I do loads of PIP applications.

Even with all that experience, knowledge and training, easy access to supporting evidence, regular updates on new case law from organisations like CPAG and others that welfare rights organisations generally belong to, I still have around a third of applications declined initially, but 100% success rate at appeals. This is the case for all my colleagues, too.

All I can say is that if there are really more than a handful of successful fraudulent applications, the frauds must be bloody clever.

"What’s wrong with receiving vouchers?"

It won't be in the disabled persons best interests for a large number of reasons.

Neither is acceptable

You are not going to be around for ever to do these things for her. I’m sorry but she has to start doing somethings for herself so can gain confidence and live a fulfilled life.

Thank you for your advice.

I wonder why l never thought of this? I really must try harder mustn’t l?

Not all autistic children will get DLA though because it is based on care needs, you don't even need a diagnosis
The majority do. A diagnosis is the biggest piece of evidence.

It’s your job to support her she’s your child

😂😂😂

We do fucking support her. We just don’t have wads of money.

We can’t afford to support her entirely and neither is there an expectation to do so.

But you keep supporting yours until they’re 50 if you want. You must be minted.

No it isn't.

The biggest pieces of evidence will be from healthcare professionals and school staff stating how the child's needs are greater than their peers because that is what DLA is based on. Care needs greater than their peers.

A child could be awarded DLA without a diagnosis, especially as it often takes a long time for a child to be diagnosed when we're talking about the likes of autism. If it was considered the biggest piece of evidence, children would be required to have a diagnosis but that isn't the case.

How does a parent support their disabled child when they've had to give up work to care for said child?

There will always be some that are.

🙈🤣

This again. I'm 35, shall I ask my mum to support me too? Maybe she should go back to work

The biggest pieces of evidence will be from healthcare professionals and school staff stating how the child's needs are greater than their peers because that is what DLA is based on. Care needs greater than their peers
And the diagnosis provides a reason why this has lasted for more than 3 months and lastly to continue to do for years.

Care needs greater than peers is the blurriest mean for assessment. A child might need care to dress because they've never shown how to do it, they might have meltdowns in supermarkets because they've never been taken out to noisy, bright surrounding, say due to neglect. They might have needs than a child with autism. They won't get DLA because it's expected they can grow out of it in the right environment. So yes, diagnosis is essential.

Yes seriously. Of course companies would accept vouchers! It’s money at the end of the day. Why would it be unacceptable to give you supermarket vouchers for food etc or vouchers to help pay for utilities? And I would include UC in this too

But it’s true

Because you're telling people where to shop? Not everyone lives near big supermarkets

The idea of vouchers is ludicrous. How to better divide disabled people from non disabled. Totally undignified.

What is needed is a change to the assessment. The way it is written and the way it is assessed. It needs to be much more linked to evidence of extra costs rather than evidence of needs.

Then you have to make it work. Nothing in life is perfect. You can also get deliveries from supermarkets which is a damn sight easier than going into store

What if it were vouchers toward utility bills?

What if we trusted disabled people enough to manage their own money and spend it how they see fit?

How about leaving it as it is?

What if it were vouchers toward utility bills?
Everyone has utility bills, disabled or not. How do you plan to separate which utility should be paid by pip because its additional due to the disability. How do you difference those who gave the heating on all day because of a chronic conditions as opposed to those who work from home.

This concept is abhorrent!

😆

I hope you’re not having an attack of the vapours

If a diagnosis is so essential then why isn't it required?