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.

I really hope not I'm. Not sleeping much coz I'm worried

It wouldn't be because of that. It's going to take them some time if we do get vouchers as has constantly been mentioned in this thread

@TigerRag thank you, that's put my mind at rest.

It it happened how long will It take I'm so worried

You are letting this thing that is very very unlikely to happen ruin your life, sleep, probably any enjoyment.

I mean this kindly, but you are doing yourself NO favours by constantly revisiting this thread. Several people, some knowledgeable, have tried to reassure you, and you just pick out the worse case. I know this is your anxiety, but coming here is not helping you.

If you have a therapist, then get talking to them. If you have any hobbies, then throw yourself into them. Surround yourself with people who are not talking about PIP/benefits/news.

It only because my pip stop last year and I become homeless and I don't want that to happen again

Sorry to hear that, and I can understand your anxiety about PIP. Having it stopped suddenly can be very detrimental.
But here, we are talking about something that I would bet my own life on is not going to happen.
The voucher thing was a last ditch attempt at the Tories trying to win votes from the crowd of people who think anyone on any benefits is a scrounger.
They did not win, so therefore this thing they wanted to happen.. wont happen.
And even any talk about it is getting HUGE pushback from pretty much every disability charity in existence.

Vouchers are too costly, too deep in admin, and too much of a pain the ass to do. Far easier to give people cash...and that is what will happen.

I’m sorry , I know you’re trying to help the poster but you’re wrong.
. The review was done by the dwp and labour id anything are more keen on it than the tories.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/time-running-out-to-challenge-pip-vouchers

Labour have been strangely silent on this. I don't think we expected them to take away the winter fuel payment from pensioners ( although i agree it should not be a universal benefit for pensioners). i think the winter fuel payment fiasco has shocked. A few weeks ago I would have said the vouchers proposal would be chucked in the bin but to be honest after this I don't think anything is beyond them ! It's not something that's worth worrying about though.

You can't help but worry when PIP makes up a big portion of your income and also brings with it other benefits such as council tax reduction. I'm trying to stay positive, at the end of the day, there's nothing much we can do if, God forbid, the voucher system comes into place. It's very frightening for a lot of people and I agree with the poster who said, after Labour removing the winter fuel payment, I wouldn't put anything past them!

I'm just getting worried and sick and not sleeping coz I'm worried I just don't want to form homeless

Pretend it wont happen. Because you are wrecking your life worrying about it.

@Jess199677 please try not to worry. I know it's hard. Why would you become homeless? Is it because you wouldn't be able to pay rent? Are you sure you are getting everything you are entitled to?

Just everything mental health it sand me off the rails again and make me homeless

@Jess199677 Are you with any mental health services such as the community mental health team? If so, tell them of your worries about becoming homeless and they should be able to help you. If not, ask your doctor to refer you. Can you get an appointment with the citizens advice bureau? Again, tell them about your fears of becoming homeless and they will go through your finances with you and help you. Please don't let this worry ruin your life, there is help out there.

I know 😊 I like to keep to my self coz I had a bad childhood I got abused so I have trust issue with people

@Jess199677 I'm so sorry to hear that. Believe me, you can trust people at the places I mentioned. I've been at rock bottom and all of those people have helped me in the past. I'm also a very private person but sometimes you just have to take that first step of asking for help.

Ya that ture. :) I relly hope that don't do it it will take tham ages won't it if it does

@Jess199677 yes, let's try and think positive and hope that they don't do it. Also, as a previous poster mentioned it would probably take a long time to implement it, giving people time to sort their finances out, get help etc

Who ever thinks that vouchers are a good idea mustn’t actually claim it and have no idea the impact it would have on disabled people . I use my pip to have a car on the motability scheme and in left field ith half of the payment is bich is used to top up my living expenses and also knowing how inflation affects the poor people. The people who has gone for the vouchers to put in place must have a privilege of not worrying about their finances. Complete lack of empathy and compassion who need cash payments. How about we pay you the same way instead of wages have vouchers !!! I’m outraged by mindless people. They should have asked the people actually claiming pip . And I think if it does take effect there will be such a detrimental effect where people have took their own lives .

Can we start a campaign people who appose it please . Let’s come together .. if anything we need to over throw the government as they truly have no power over us . If we live under common law .

@Compassion1 I agree with you entirely. I, also, think there will be a lot of blood on the hands of the government if they take away pip money and replace it with a voucher system. There will be a lot of suicides and people freezing/starving to death.

When will pip go to vouchers

The Labour government have not indicated at all that it will be changed to vouchers. Of course that could change but at the moment there is no indication it will happen.

I am getting really worried and not sleeping coz I'm worried