Ah, the disabled benefit cheats at it again

[bialystockandbloom]

So the govt about to try to push through £2bn cuts to DLA. So, the govt spin puppets DM run huge front page feature on the "cheats" again.

All the usual bilge designed to convince the ignorant masses that disabled people are at best a burden to the "taxpayer" (as if disabled people never pay taxes), and at worst money-grabbing cheats who are almost single-handedly solely responsible for the financial mess the country's in. To pave the way for a resounding silence from the media and public when huge cuts are made to disability allowance, services, education and support.

FYI Daily Mail:

1. DLA is not a 'benefit'. It is a direct payment to provide assistance to people with disabilities who struggle as a direct result of those disabilities. It has nothing to do with whether you work or not.

1. One glaringly obvious reason why a % of recipients get it without 'attending an interview' is because they are children.

1. Another is that they provide medical evidence of their disability.

1. Ian Duncan Smith: "At the moment, hundreds of millions of pounds are paid out in disability benefits to people who have simply filled out a form." I simply filled out a form today (for a loyalty card at a local shop). Where the fuck's my money then?? Oh, that would be because the 100+-page DLA form isn't quite the same as simply filling in your name and address.

1. "More than 70 per cent of existing claimants are on DLA for life without facing any regular checks." Hmm, would that be because they have disabilities for life perchance? Blindness, deafness, CP, chromosomal conditions, autism, learning difficulties, ataxia, and all the other hundreds and hundreds of lifelong disabilities.

FFS I have never linked to a news story on MN before but am so spitting mad about this.

Mumsnet is there any chance of getting Ian Duncan Smith and/or DM editor (is it still Paul Dacre?) on for a webchat?

The Govt has announced they plan to save 20%, so that's presumably how many of us will be cured, regrow limbs etc. Ludicrous.

I do hope you are not implying that my DD3 is a burglar in waiting, Smallwhitecat.

Julia - I think they're working on the "natural attrition" rate that they expect when a company is told to downsize - only in this situation they're expecting a more "permanent" solution, iykwim . There was a lot of chat over the last few days about the poppy and Remembrance Day, one of the things being that "at least we're not governed by Nazis" - sad to say, I think you probably are, judging by what's going on. :(
(I say you because I'm not in the UK any more and wouldn't want to move back there under the current regime)

It's all bloody disgusting and makes me really sad for all my friends who are affected by it. I hope that things change before (too m)any more people are pushed over the edge.

FFS why do oap's get £200/year whatever their income. Surely the disabled are more deserving? I was so angry last year I tried to send it back but was told I couldn't so donated to the homeless. BTW we are not well off.

im worried about this why i do not claim Esa been told becuas ei can operate a wheelchair when switch from dla to pip im going to lse out

This is despite public transport being apitta and erm the bus does not ahve wheelchair ramp so can not use anyway .

And ironic thing is i had to buy my own lightweight chair as the nhs one is to heavy to move to far

smallwhitecat, you come in these threads and say this stuff over and over, but I've explained to you before that there are quite good reasons for the rise. I can't be bothered doing it again because I know you won't listen. Here's a reasonable article on it anyway, for the gallery: The ?inexplicable? rise in Disability Living Allowance explained .

But in your head, I know, anecdata triumphs again. So sad for you.

2old2beamum - why shouldnt old people get the 200? You may not have needed yours, but I can assure you ther are plenty who do.

To say the disabled are more deserving is outrageous.

They are both as deserving.

yard think what she may mean is that the £200 is for all oap regardless of income ( i may be worng in that case im sorry )

TheHumanCatapult that is exactly what I meant. Friend moved to in Cyprus pots of money but still gets £200.

The £200 is a cold weather payment which all OAPs get. It would cost far more to administer if it was means-tested and I'd rather the people that really need it get the cash than making it hard to get.

If you don't need it, give the money to Help the Aged

Blimey, you mean there is a chance my mum's leg may grow back? I'll get on the blower and let her know.

However she would then have to give back her free car. Hmmmmm, this may need more thought.

ChristinedePizanne, they manage to give Cold Weather Payments to only those who are in receipt of income support and pension credit why can't they use the system?

Oh right. What are you talking about then? I thought it was across the board. Thing is that you might not be in receipt of IS and still be struggling. I know my parents find it difficult at times even though they have worked all their lives in well paid jobs because their pensions are now worth jackshit

Christine you have made a good point and I am concerned that many people are not aware that they can claim pension credit despite having a private pension if it is too low to live on.

I am not going to look at the article (don't want to be angry), although the DM has been running articles like that forever.

There is a lot of misinformation about DLA - I'm glad to see saintlyjimjams posted criteria for mobility componant.

As for a child with adhD receiving DLA just by filling in a form welll ha ha ha ha really apple cider.

Its a load of bollocks. I get DLA for my ds and we certainly don't get a car!

You only get DLA for ADHD if its presents as a co morbidity such as autism.

You sound like my mother. She believes everything she reads.

applecider, you are a piece of work you really are. As the mother of an autistic child who does not have DLA awarded for life (I have to complete the dreaded form every three years) even though he has a LIFELONG disability, all I can say to you that your life isn't over.

May you or yours never need to submit a claim.

I've just asked MN HQ to ask IDS to come on for a grilling webchat.

acumenin that is a very interesting link, thanks.

Nice to see the daily fail not print my comment on there comment section.

I said something about the "Official figures released last night revealed that 16 per cent of new claimants received the benefit – worth £70 a week – after merely filling out a claim form." being very much like the way ministers have been claiming expenses for years, only of course they are entitled to a damn sight more tax payers money, then £70 a quid a week.

maybe it was the bit at the bottom about "The Daily Mail, passing the buck since 1896" that did it LOL.

bialystockandbloom is it on an open post somewhere to MN HQ, where we can also add our interest in seeing IDS to come for a webchat? Perhaps if they see just how many of us want this, maybe it will carry some weight?

The DM is pure poison.

Triggles good idea! It's on the MN webchat topic here.

Smallwhitecat

Lol me as cat burglar makes notes can I have low windows chair other side and no steps to get in and wide doorways as my career be over before it started