PIP "Vouchers to replace money"

[QueenAnn]

Just read the latest crazy idea from Rishi in his quest to persecute the mentally ill and disabled and am horrified to learn he wants to replace PIP money with vouchers for therapy or home improvements. This idea hasn't been given the go ahead yet but is going to be discussed in July apparently. My dh has severe mental health issues, psychosis, GAD, depression etc and he's under the care of the local CMHT. He's also been assessed by the council Social Care Assessment team as needing assistance and respite care, however I've been told there isn't the funding locally to cover everything he's been assessed as needing. It's a good thing he has me as his full time carer but I wonder how carers are going to be affected if this voucher scheme goes ahead as I, and many others, rely on carers allowance to compensate for the hours we can't work due to caring for someone. It honestly feels as if there is some terrible news for the disabled and vulnerable coming from Rishi every day now.

Having to submit receipts, so in effect, justifying how someone spends their PIP, would be othering. No other group of people receiving benefits has to do this. Why the proposal for disabled people?

Because we're apparently costing the government too much. They were hoping that pip would save money but it's cost them far more.

Yes@TigerRag The Government's incompetence has cost them dearly. The constant reviews of people who should not have to undergo such assessments, is costing them more. The constant stream of people having to go to the tribunal, and being awarded the correct rate, is due to the incorrect award, or no award being granted, often by assessors who have zero understanding of the conditions that claimants are presenting with, etc..

You have to do this with direct payments we have a yearly audit I suspect they’ll do similar with pip unfortunately. It just adds to the workload

What is the likelihood off the voucher going in to place

The voucher system is a non starter. I have asked my Labour MP about it all. They know fully well how the PIP is used.

We have so many incidental expenses eg with disabled “learning’ activities eg would DS like to participate in a SEN debate or can DS bring money to participate in the collapsed activity college events which are useful to help his independence. There are adults disabled with no parents who just can’t get to activities which are scatter gunned on other ends of the city because that’s how it is. He’s not managing with his current pip yet alone voucher/.

There are too many expenses eg a carer stays for a week - so that food / laundry / keeping the house extra warm ( we use blankets more when no one is here ). And then we all contribute and do whip rounds for those who can’t afford the Uber or the trip etc with the disability social group.

To be frank I’m fed up of it all. The administration is crazy as it is. We are glorified secretaries/ administrators planning the lives of our disabled kids with care meetings or emails from life skills , time sheets etc. Add in complex pip vouchers and I’m resigning as his carer - I can’t do any more admin.

@Noras that's good that you asked your Labour MP. Was it him that said the vouchers are a non starter? I know how you feel about all the admin, not only are we carers we are secretaries as well!

@Noras i emailed my MP she said wants all disabled back into work. But I explained to her that not all can go work. Some cannot get out of bed on some days, due to chronic illness. Pain. Fatigue. Disability. Told her we all payed into system when was able to work, people didn't ask to be disabled. And asked their manifesto for the disabled? Still strip them of benifits.. Vouchers? No answer..

@Firedeb I'd like to know the name of your MP please and which party she represents, if her answer about the disabled was "strip them of benefits". If those were her exact words then this needs publicising/reporting before the election.

@EmmaPeele I'm saying they be stripped
I didn't say mp said.. it in my message. But wants all back in work. And that's what they want regardless of your disability

@Firedeb Again, she shouldn't be saying they "want all back in work" regardless of disability. That's a terrible statement for an MP to make. What party does she represent that has this as its manifesto and what is her name? Both Labour and the Tories are saying "those who can work, should work" not "we want all back in work regardless of disability" If she's spouting this statement to her constituents then who does she represent please?

What's work got to do with PIP anyway?

@LiterallyOnFire Good point. You would hope an MP discussing PIP with a constituent would know that PIP is not an out of work benefit and that you can still claim it and work. I'm waiting to hear who this MP is and which party they represent with such extreme views about the disabled!

I can't really imagine any MP saying that ! Even if they wanted to get some people back to work they must surely know that for many that is never going to be realistic?

@Babyroobs I totally agree with you. I can't imagine it either and I don't want people on here panicking reading that, its why I've asked who it is and which party they represent.

It's another way to control people and they are doing the corporations bidding .I was voting tory but now labour

My local Labour MP said there will be "incentives" for the disabled to get back into work... and from that I think she means sanctions.

I do have a mental and physical disabilities I receive my payment every 28 days it says on Google that the election will take place on the 4th of July 2024 I am deaf I have just moved home I can't make a call to DWP to give my new address details I live alone I don't have anyone to support me I am due to receive my payment on the 2nd of July 2024 will this be vouchers or into my bank as if vouchers are sent I will have to go to my old address to collect them does anyone have information

Nothing has been announced yet. It'll be cash. It'll be a few years if this was to happen.

Can you call through Relay UK to update address? Payment will be cash.

Someone at save my taxes keeps posting false statements, they are saying that the government IS going to replace pip cash payments with vouchers. This is blatantly false, misleading and causing disabled people distress and anxiety. Some disabled people are even openly talking about suicide just due to the false posts. The green paper consultation had not even concluded before parliament was dissolved,that in effect kicked the green paper into the long grass until a new government IS formed. It's a safe bet that the Tories will not win on the 4th of July,I can't see a labour government picking up a Draconian act that the Tories came up with so hopefully pip cash payments will be safe.

I really hope so I'm not sleeping coz off this I know that sounds weird but I'm really worried

The voucher idea is ridiculous, and potentially illegal because it will be discriminating against people with disabilities.

Has anything been confirmed yet I'm really getting worried

@Jess199677 I'm worried too. My dh was due a PIP review in April and he still hasn't heard anything yet. I'm wondering if they are holding back on reviews in case the law changes and then they can award people vouchers after review instead of money.