What do people actually expect DLA to be spent on??

[Whoknowshey]

This comes off a thread I read recently where a poster was being criticised for spending DLA on a fridge .

Im curious as to what people think DLA / PIP should be spent on ? Due to various circumstances I am aware of what people spend it on and I also have a child in receipt PIP so I know how theirs gets spent . Some differs to how my child’s is spent. Some I agree with , some I don’t but the fact is it’s for the individuals needs and that varies massively. Especially with non physical disabilities it would be hard to spend it on things directly related to their needs but there are many ways in which it affects their lives that it can help with .

Some I have came across;

• theme park passes- the child cannot do what others can , going out with friends etc . The passes give the opportunity to enjoy childhood safely.
• Toys/ things for hyperfocuses - a hyper focus is a form of regulation . To some it may look like an obsession with a character but it’s actually a way for the individual to regulate.
• Towards the family income because parents cannot work.
• Furniture - lots can get destroyed due to the individuals issues.
• Save it towards the child’s future . The child may not ever be able to get a job and adult social care is appalling .

I think all those things are justified . But I have seen comments against that.

My child has PIP as a young adult. They have a part of the money as theirs to do with what they wish ( which can be wasted hence why they do not have it all and I am their appointee - but also they have no way of having extra money as cannot work nor claim any benefits , have to stay in education to hold on to that EHCP and to help with their life skills etc ) A part goes into the house because I care for them financially as though they are a child - yet usually parents do not have to do this with an adult child. They know exactly what they are paying for with this - rent, shopping etc, social groups. It doesn’t really touch what I spend on them as the majority actually goes on a mobility car , because they have to be taken to most places . This way they are paying bills etc as they see it - an itemised of what they pay - because I know if they go in to supported living it will be eaten up by that and I don’t want them to get used to just having all that money, I think the way I do it is justified as it is for their needs ( food aversions so more expensive shop , get through clothes very quickly due to sensory issues , hyper focuses , social groups specific to their needs ) .

A bit fed up of seeing people attacked because someone doesn’t deem what they spend as “ for their needs “ yet those needs are so vast .

Interested on thoughts.

You think anyone with a disability, or anyone on Universal Credit will vote for a party who want to stop benefits, not likely.

Can you imagine if someone told someone with child benefit what they can and can't spend it on. That it should go in a separate pot just for the child. What if there's nothing to spend it in that month because the child's needs are all met, but you can't put it in savings because it's disgusting the tax payer will fund your child's savings. Doesn't happen does it, but dla is fair game for what reason?

MN is wild when it comes to benefits. I was told I should shave off my hair if I can no longer wash it myself, rather than spend PIP on a wash and blow-dry.

Totally agree.

I don't. My point is that, if you have a disability or impairment, you apparently are not part of the class of people who get social sympathy unless you parade it as a victim status. As you say, my hearing issues are my problem and expense, not other people's

As for the increase in claims, we've had covid, it had an effect in multiple ways. There's fuck all MH support, fuck all nhs support, fuck all educational support, it all has a long term effect I.e. more young people now on benefits. Cutting benefits won't achieve anything (well actually it will probably just increase the social care bill and cost the tax payer even more in the long run). Children and young people need appropriate support at the right times, MH support needs to be available for all, as the saying goes, it's no good pulling people out of the river, you need to go upstream and find out why so many are falling in and fix that.

I have a friend working in education who actually encourage people to get their kids a diagnosis of something in order to access various entitlements, because it's such a grift now that you may as well get yourself a piece of it, in their words.

Oh not this tripe about vouchers again.

It would cost considerably more in admin for money to be given out in a different form. Who decides how to split the money into vouchers? Who decides what the money should be spent on? Who decides what therapist to use? Who decides what supermarket the vouchers should be used for? This is admin that someone has to be paid to do.

Also, can you let me know what therapists accept vouchers please? I’d love to pass the information to my friend who spent £260 last week on a private appointment for her DD - which wouldn’t have been required if an NHS provider would have agreed to prescribe the necessary medication she needs.

Of course you do. It is amazing how many posters on these benefits-bashing threads definitely know absolutely existent benefits cheats and professionals who encourage it.
What always amazes me is how charmingly garrulous these, surely not-at-all-imaginary benefits cheats appear to be. Always seemingly eager to share detailed accounts of their fraudulent claim with any curtain-twitching nosy parker who shows the mildest interest.
What is also sweet is that the posters are still good friends with these benefits cheats, despite apparently knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are breaking the law!
Not that I am doubting the validity of yours or any of the, terribly convincing claims that always appear on here!

What is the moral case for tax payer funded horse riding lessons?

Given this is something that is being openly shared on this thread with no shame, it's clear the benefits system is not fit for purpose, and is no longer designed to provide for people with genuine need. Is it any wonder professionals who have to interact with it don't take it seriously? It's a complete joke

“Disability is universal, so that’s why disability benefits are universal. If you were to means test it where would you put the threshold ? Why is it fair to support some and expect others to drain their bank accounts before they are supported ?”

But this is exactly the case for care provision - if you have money you pay, if you don’t the government provides, including when you run out of money.

I use mine to pay for private physio, because the Long Covid service refused to treat me. It also pays for the cleaners - dh works part time, and is my carer - he does all the cooking, all the laundry and the ironing and the DIY round the house - having cleaners once a fortnight takes one thing off his very overburdened plate.

It also paid for my wheeled walker.

If the entire country needed a wheelchair, the infrastructure would be suitable for wheelchair users. DD1 can't leave the house unattended, but even if she could, she can't use her wheelchair independently in our village. Dropped kerbs without a corresponding dropped kerb on the other side of the pavement; tree roots pushing up through the pavement; narrow paths that don't allow for any error of judgment; pavements with a sharp camber that tips her into a hedge; pavements with kerbs so high that they can't be navigated; planters and tables/chairs placed outside of businesses; lamp posts, street signs and bollards placed in such a configuration that you have to zig zag through them to make progress; dropped kerbs placed, but then parking marked so that cars block them or make it dangerous to cross because car drivers can't see the wheelchair user.

So much of disability is caused by a society that makes no accommodation and has no consideration.

But why should they be spent on theme park tickets for example (to help little Laura leave the house - what bullshit!!!) when people who do not claim cannot afford it? How is that fair?

This person wasn't just saying you CAN'T cure it. We all know that. She was offended because I'd suggested anyone would WANT to change the individual, even if it were possible. She started to tell me all the ways in which autistic people benefited the world due to looking at things differently. That same attitude is displayed again and again in articles and in the media. Recently, when Trump made the crazy assertion about paracetamol, there was an indignant article in which the writer concentrated less on the ridiculous claim, and more that it was outrageous to suggest that autism was something to be avoided. The term ND is misleading because it sounds as if it's focussing on differences rather than the problems autism can cause.

As a net contributor, support for disabled children is most definitely not a part of the tax bill that I resent. There are a lot of children who if the state had to provide their care it would cost a fortune, and so many parents are doing it for peanuts. And I am in awe of the skills some parents acquire in order to be able to safely care for their children with complex medical needs.

This week we are using PIP to pay for a private physio assessment for DD1. She's had three hospital visits for pain, the drugs she's been given don't help, and she's in such pain that she only managed 15 minutes of her educational session today. The NHS physio sees, assesses, gives a sheet of exercises and discharges. It's £73 for a 45 minute assessment, but I'm hoping they might actually be able to help.

Strange that aa the number, one complaint in the DLA Facebook group I'm in is that school isn't supportive 🤔
Your friend sounds incredibley thick if she's openly admitting she encourages people to commit fraud....

I can assure anyone reading that not being able to work, and spending the day listening to your child begging for an ambulance because they don't understand that hospital isn't the place to go to whenever you have pain is absolute torture. I'm grateful for it, but I'd give up the PIP and UC in a flash if there was an answer.

This thread is heart breaking mainly because it shows how people view our situations.

dla is not just for nuerodivergent people it’s for those with life threatening illnesses to like organ failure, cancer, complex health conditions.

in total our household income including dla and disabled element on UC / carers is

1900

this 2600 include the dla

this covers our
bills
transport ( not entitled to hrm for scheme )
food - including when in hospital as parents are not entitled to food and we can be in for months at a time.
clothes / bedding etc

if there is any savings / left overs - then
is used for treats like days out, holidays , Christmas , birthday and occasional take out.

looks like some people don’t think it should be used for any treats or anything that brings joy.
what sort of world do we live in where people begrudge a sick / disabled child a day at the seaside.
I can tell you whole heartedly that I would give up the money without a second thought for a cure and for my dc to not go through the pain / surgeries / brutal treatments they have to stay alive.
I worked full time before my DC was sick. I always paid taxes and I will again. This is a time in our lives that we needed to rely on the state to get through and I am tired of feeling bad about it Iike we don’t deserve to have anything nice.

Because in those cases the family will probably have taken a significant drop in their income due to the child’s disability.

I can’t afford to take my kids to a theme park currently but they will get just as much out of going on a play date with their friends or going to the park, or another cheap activity. So I don’t whine about it being “unfair” because a child with a disability can’t access cheaper activities in the same way.

We used to call it our Drugs and Lager Allowance.

A happy mum is a good mum, yes?

The moral case is that is cheaper way to achieve the therapeutic aims than other alternatives. My ds had horseriding lessons at his special school. It replaced 3 therapies and had more success. The therapies were physio, a talking based cbt and OT. Those therapies came to about £240 a week v £22.

Horse Riding Therapy for Autistic People
Horse riding therapy, also known as equine therapy, is a beneficial approach for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It offers a range of benefits, including:

• Promoting Non-Verbal Communication: Horses communicate through body language and energy, helping individuals with ASD express themselves and build confidence.
• 1
• Enhancing Social Interaction: Equine therapy provides a safe environment for practicing social skills, improving the ability to navigate social cues and interact with others.
• 1
• Encouraging Sensory Integration: Horses' rhythmic movements can help individuals with sensory processing issues better manage and integrate sensory input.
• 1
• Improving Motor Skills: Activities such as grooming, tacking, riding, and leading horses engage both gross and fine motor skills, improving coordination, balance, and strength.
• 2
• Building Emotional Bonds: Horse therapy fosters emotional connections and care, which can be particularly beneficial for those who struggle with verbal communication.
• 1
• These benefits contribute to the overall well-being and development of individuals with ASD, making equine therapy a valuable therapeutic option.
• 4

That doesn't answer the question of why parents who go out to work and have to pay for horse riding lessons out of pocket should fund this activity for your child instead. Why? I don't see a moral argument for this myself