I agree with the benefit cuts for promoting

[Canaryhead]

I am on disability and universal credit and I don’t work (which will change when I get the support to some part time work, and I have been in contact with a disability charity). I get points for a physical disability and a cognitive disability. I do have severe mental health issues which I am working on but I don’t claim for it.
So I can see that currently you can score 2 points across a number of categories for needing prompting. And I can see how that relates to mental health, and if you score enough you would then get the full amount of the care component, with the full mobility component if you say you need to have someone with you for your mental health condition (I agree they need someone with them but they shouldn’t be able to use that money to pay for a mobility car in my opinion if they aren’t physically or cognitively disabled) For neurodivergence you would get more than two points as it comes with executive functioning difficulties that have an impact for the majority of the time, harm to yourself and others, so you could argue you're needing supervision and things take longer like for example in processing and tiredness.
if a family and their children are claiming full pip and DLA and associated benefits because they need prompting to do tasks (sorry if I’ve got this wrong and it’s not possible) and are getting thousands for it all combined then I agree that’s so wrong and needs to stop. And I could also see how that allows the family to spend that money on lots of nice things.
people with more expensive disabilities are getting the same rates with more significant costs. I have had to make do with two pairs of leggings from the factory shop that have split apart at the seams and can’t be repaired because of the quality, and I have just been gifted money to buy better quality leggings.
If I am wrong about how I feel towards those that are on full pip for needing prompting, I wouldn’t mind being corrected

Yes, there are some upmarket cars. But the upfront cost is huge. If people can afford that, why not? It is all good for the motor industry and the wider economy.

I don’t think you can have a motability car unless you can drive…? But I may be wrong about that, tbh we are so broke that we’d be utterly screwed if we put my PIP into motability. But because I can’t drive we never looked into it as I didn’t think I was eligible. Also we have no money for a down payment!

Bollocks. You can report anonymously on line. Here you go:

www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud

why couldn't you give details ? It seems mad if they make it hard to report.
I have 2 children with the most complex of needs and one has a motability car. I would happily see people reported who screw the system

you don't have to drive the car yourself. A carer can drive for you.( or a family member ).

@flapjackfairy I would hope they require some details and make it at least a bit hard to report in order to cut down on frivolous and malicious reports? Just a guess, though.

I feel it would just be inhuman not to expect people who work and pay taxes not to be upset by this

For the umpteenth time, people with disabilities (and who may, if eligible, receive PIP) can (a) work and (b) pay taxes. I receive PIP. I have paid taxes for nearly 50 years because I worked, and even though retired I still pay taxes. Why do people like you keep insisting that people with disabilities don't work or don't pay taxes when it is patently untrue. And if the people who work and pay taxes are all that bothered about spending their taxes on benefits, why aren't they up in arms about the proposals to increase benefits for those out of work and not paying taxes (who are in the majority of claimants) but troubled by the minority out of work who can't work because of disability? Able-bodied people cost more overall and will continue to do so.

Well it seems you can report anonymously online. You don't need someone's lifestory to report a crime to the police do you ? What's the difference ? You are reporting a potential crime.

Oh, okay, I didn’t know that! Thanks. Sorry for posting incorrect info on the thread. We can’t afford it now but good to have the right info for the future. My spouse can drive (I use a wheelchair and can’t really go anywhere without car, but I don’t go out often at all) but mostly takes public transport; our car is 20+ years old and about as cheap to run as you can get

You can. Family, carers, parents, spouses, etc. They just need to be on any necessary document as the main driver. It's used for driving the claimant around or running errands for the claimant, which isn't always the case when some use the motability cars. Who will check? No one.

I know people who receive PIP can work, idk why you’re assuming I wouldn’t know that. The vast majority of PIP claimants don’t work, though - look it up for yourself if you don’t believe me. And most taxpayers are not claiming PIP. I simply think it’s unrealistic to suggest that the general public (if you prefer that wording) are likely to be okay with £75 a week being spent on socialising.

Plus, there’s no need to be so insulting. I am a PIP claimant and perfectly well acquainted with every aspect of the process.

you can sometimes get the down-payment funded if you are genuinely unable to afford it.

Thank you! I wouldn’t feel right asking for anything like that while we are just managing to run a low cost car, but it’s good to know this in case ours completely packs it in one day (I hope not as I am the furthest thing from a car snob and fine with having an old car, but realistically I know it won’t last forever!).

,Do you not think it would be reasonable for taxpayers to be annoyed by £75 a week being used “just to socialise” when it’s been paid following a rigorous PIP assessment? You know I receive the highest rates and am speaking as a claimant, but I feel it would just be inhuman not to expect people who work and pay taxes not to be upset by this. That’s not what they expect to be paying for. It’s meant to pay for disability related needs

For a disabled person you seem to have limited understanding of PIP.

There is absolutely no restriction on what it is spent on. None. When one is awarded PIP, the award letter does not specify what it is to be spent on.

For a disabled person, it might be beneficial to them to have a social life. To do that may cost them more to have that than someone who is not disabled. PIP is designed to help with the extra costs of being disabled. This is one of them.

I know all of this. I am not under any illusions that PIP spending is restricted. I am asking whether you think it is at all reasonable to imagine that taxpayers would be okay with £75 per week being spent on socialising?

are disabled people not allowed to socialise ?

That’s not a sensible response. You obviously know I don’t think that, and I couldn’t have been more clear that I am severely disabled. Please don’t use hyperbole if you actually want to discuss this.

Well I’m not talking to/about you then.

there are plenty of people who are bothered.

Yes grants are available but the restriction on what they will fund with a grant is actually quite tight now. The team will decide you needs and out forward a handful of cars for you to choose from.

Well I am a taxpayer and I think disabled people should be able to participate fully in society. I don't care what they spend their PIP on. Same as I don't care what pensioners spend the SP on or what parents spend their CB on.

This is what the government says about PIP. That it is for extra living expenses. It does not even specify that it is "meant to pay for disability related needs" as you erroneously said.

Socialising is part of living, is it not?

thank you for that. I have no.experience of how it works personally

You are disabled yourself, but that doesn't mean that your views can't be disagreed with. My DH is very disabled and he does not share your outlook or attitude towards other disabled people at all.

I do wonder sometimes if you just like an argument for argument's sake.

You are being more offensive with each post
it Quite clear you’re fucking clueless
STOP IT

I’ve never once said that my opinion can’t be disagreed with. I’m more than happy to discuss differing views. I just see no point in hyperbole that is inherently foolish because obviously as a disabled person, I can’t possibly hold the view that disabled people are not “allowed” to socialise. It wastes my energy and everyone’s time to debunk pointless comments like that. It’s just sniping at me with the intention to be catty. If someone makes a point that isn’t like that, I will patiently answer as I have time and time again.