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.

Thinking tax payer money shouldn't be spent on theme park trips doesn't make you a disability hater. Get a grip! There is real hatred in the world right now and you seem unable to distinguish between debate regarding public resources and hatred.

If you read posts more carefully you would understand that those that are sceptical about using taxpayer funded DLA in controversial ways have genuine concerns about how our uncontrolled national debt will impact disabled people in the future. It is completely irresponsible to pretend that this won't have any impact that will be far far worse on disabled people than denying them a theme park trip or holiday now. I would counter your post and suggest that your approach is actually far nastier when we know that the disabled and vulnerable will pay the biggest price in a financial crisis.

The government is reviewing DLA and PIP and a voucher system is one option the DWP is looking at.

Reform and the tories have already said they would slash disability benefits and move to a voucher system.

Can you not get a prepay certificate ( if youare England t)hen it's much cheaper. Like about £10 a month

They aren’t, but if a parent decides on a trip to a theme park out of the DLA, it shouldn’t make people so angry for the reasons I mentioned. It’s fucking mean spirited to insist how parents spend the allowance on their children. They aren’t going to be at a theme park every week, are they?

59 pounds for a yearly pass to Alton Towers, to whoever asked or is interested. Not worth getting stressed over really.

That isn't the pass that would work for lots of families. It has very restricted times you can use the pass

Three observations:

• Many people fail to acknowledge that recipients and parents of recipients of DLA/ PIP are also taxpayers, and have paid taxes all their working lives. The "Taxpayers' money" argument is an attempt to 'other' and belittle.

• There is a huge attempted oversimplification involved in the argument that "DLA is for that specific person, or reason". The reality is that being or raising a disabled person costs those families very much more than other families, as a direct result of the disability. DLA means that less money needs to be 'found' from household budgets to cover this disability expenditure, meaning that the household budget has more in it to spend on all the other things that non disabled families take for granted.

• People are generally far more accepting of DLA for physical disability than they are of unseen disabilities. This just shows how much ignorance there still is around, for example, neurodivergence.

All of the above is ableist bullshit.

What school holiday activities are funded? Think my DD would like to know thisas she can't find anything unless youareon Free school meals benefits

No one is using DLA to buy theme park passes for goodness sake.

Some people who claim dla for their kids may also buy theme park passes. Perhaps they couldn't afford it without the DLA, but unless you're going to strictly means test it, and also judge everything else they spend in life, what business is it of anyone else's?

Perhaps not, but still there are pertinent questions around why a country with our level of national debt are finding theme park trips for anyone? Is this really a disability related expense because your disabled child would enjoy it? I know posters have insisted that all non disabled children are having the best time ever feeding ducks and playing on their underfunded public parks that often don't even have a swingset anymore but many would view it as a bit of a stretch.

Playing devil's advocate but would it not be better to pool the DLA money families currently spend on theme parks and divert it to a park's fund specifically for disability equipment that could used long term and by lots of different children?

"What school holiday activities are funded? Think my DD would like to know thisas she can't find anything unless youareon Free school meals benefits"

My council and other local organisations provide sports sessions, arts and crafts and outdoor/nature activities which are free or cheap. Cheap swimming and inflatable sessions.

I get £340/month in DLA for my daughter.

Each month I spend £400 on specialist tutoring, about £70 on travel to health appointments, £80 on riding for the disabled sessions, £100 on ASN specific activities, and I loose £1000/month because my working hours are restricted. So yes the amounts don’t remotely equate to the amounts given. But that’s not what you meant.

And are they suitable for children with complex needs? Experience tells me they really aren’t.

Ah must be postcode lottery then as we don't have this unless you pay barracudas etc

"And are they suitable for children with complex needs? Experience tells me they really aren’t."

No they aren't. There are a few specific activities for children with additional needs but they won't take children who require 1:1 etc.

It’s not ableist to suggest that the current level of disability benefits is getting unaffordable for the country.

Taxes are high, national debt is very high and growth is poor, so some things will have to give.

The average person in the U.K. will soon be worse off than someone in Poland, and government spending will need to reflect that.

Only those earning over £50k are actually contributing more than they receive in benefits and services.

and there, it is again. I asked for posters to respond to those who struggle financially due having a disabled child and leave the theme park out. and the response is the same old nonsense again: the theme park bollocks. Do you not have anything meaningful to contribute which doesn't contact theme parks @Marshmallow4545 .

Almost everyone I know (apart from my disabled friends and my in laws who are on state pensions and whatever top ups come with them and choose to spend their money on other things) goes on at least 4 holidays a year - many go on more. But yes, I think it does include short breaks. The study said large parts of the population are going on 5, 6 7 and even 8 holidays a year and I do not struggle to believe this as someone from quite a middle class background with middle class friends. People work hard but every time the schools are off they're away to the Bahamas or Eurodisney. I don't begrudge them it but it seems ridiculous to hear from the politicians that we are then struggling to pay for disability benefits, which are not generous benefits. They don't come anywhere near to covering the cost of years or a lifetime of income lost due to disability and the costs that come with it.

So not really relevant to a discussion about the needs of disabled children. There are lots of activities where I am, we’ve been through most of them and they’ve failed to meet my child’s needs pretty much every time.

Well, I know one person who goes four holidays a year 😑

paid for by pip or dla?

I doubt it.

Have they really? I must have missed that then. I await a Government announcement in due course, regarding the voucher scheme, that will never work, and no doubt be a costly disaster🙄

It’s utter nonsense. Perpetuated by people who have absolutely no idea what PIP or DLA is paid for - despite the intention behind it being clarified over and over again on the thread.

You can’t argue with stupid and pig headed. Don’t even try. I learned to disregard these people long ago because they have no fucking idea what they’re talking about.

I'm not often shocked but this thread HAS shocked me.

As if removing DLA and PIP or paying with vouchers would solve the national debt problem?

No one can be as stupid as to believe that surely?