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.

Yeh I know but if they're looking for any excuse to turn it down it's best not to give them one. So many things are getting a No when it should be a Yes because they gamble on people not fighting back and taking it further. These organisations just don't follow their own rules half the time.

I just wanted to send a quick message to anyone as concerned as myself with this Voucher consultation.

I noticed that you can send feedback concerning the change. I know they are going to do whatever they want, but the more pressure put on them, the better. If you go to the "How to respond" section, you will find it.

Sorry if it's already been mentioned.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/modernising-support-for-independent-living-the-health-and-disability-green-paper/modernising-support-for-independent-living-the-health-and-disability-green-paper

That’s hugely out of date, lifetime awards were phased out years ago. It’s a maximum of 10 years now, just in case we miraculously cease to be disabled one day.

I have congenital paralysis and while I’d love to suddenly be able to walk and not be incontinent, they will want to reassess me in five years’ time to make sure I’m not cured. It’s a waste of money and time really, the people doing the assessment could be better used doing something less pointless that might help others.

Stupid idea. My dad had a huge stroke and claims PIP. He has to renew his PIP.. as if he’s going to wake up one day and not be severely disabled. 🙄

Crap my husband is my unpaid career . He is in his 70,s can’t get carers allowance as he is retired and due to working extra til he was nearly 70 to help me does not qualify as he has a pension. So therefore he will spend his retirement tied to me and my disabilities. With his own health declining as a result.

@Pasithean What services? Please advise.

Whilst he can't get carers allowance as it is an overlapping benefit with state pension, he can still get an underlying entitlement to carers allowance which would make him eligible for carers premiums on things like pension credit and council tax support if you jointly qualify for those.

Totally agree. It pays bills in the home. Vouchers cannot buy insurance for home if brought property, to keep roof over head. Paying like Gas and electric. Like other stuff. Going bk to the war days, when on rations. Put more ppl into poverty these vouchers would

Yes alot of ppl would sell homes. It pays the bills, to maintain us having a roof over our heads, plus other bills within our homes to make us comfortable and our disabilities we have. Vouchers are not going to pay bills at all.. Pissin stupid. Going bk to the war days when ppl were on rations by sound if it. While he sits on his ass with a fat sum of money, and penalising ppl who cannot wrk..

Rachel Reeves has said she won’t be doing any of this Rishi shit when she is chancellor.

I bet there will be some sort of reform of the benefits system though if Labour win.

Yes they’ve already alluded to it although haven’t said what yet I don’t think.

She’ll be doing something…..

100% I have to buy gluten free because of my medical conditions n as anyone’s that’s expensive rishi is a joke

I'm getting worried that my pip gonning to stop and I won't have any money to pay for rent and that do U think it will happen or not

No

No to what

No I don't think it will happen.

If you don't want pip on vouchers just don't vote on rishi, don't matter what don't vote on Conservatives, because if he wins the election definitely pip will be vouchers.. So don't vote on Conservatives vote another one but don't let he wins don't let Rishi wins stop vote on him

A voucher system just sounds like a lot of admin and open to exploitation.

Who’s going to set up the catalogues of aids and household help? Will there be different vouchers for help with hair washing and help with cooking both of which l can’t do. And another catalogue for help with dressing or laundry.

Bonkers.

I wonder what will happen to carer's allowance if they replace PIP with vouchers. I only get Carers Allowance because my dh gets PIP and I'm his full time carer. If they change PIP to vouchers then we'll be relying on my carers allowance money even more. Is this voucher business going to effect eligibility for carers allowance. Rishi is so out of touch with ordinary people. I pray the Tories don't get in again but I'm also not sure what labour's plans are regarding benefits?

No it wouldn't affect carers allowance as that is only dependent on PIP being awarded not how they choose to pay it.
Most people get other benefits in addition to carers allowance. Universal credit, ESA ( for the disabled person) etc.

Also, vouchers for therapy? Will there be a list of "approved" therapists, and will there be a time limit?
The people I know who use their PIP to pay for therapy took a lot of time finding someone they gelled with. I have a friend (she has Bipolar type 1, so it will never go away), who sees a therapist in the US (over Zoom). She uses her PIP for this, and will be seeing them until her therapist retires!

I think America has a system like this, food and rent vouchers. I’m not sure how the vouchers would work or why it can’t be money and what the difference would be. If they would say we could only spend it on certain things. I can see the benefits but also a lot of cons and lack of freedom. I don’t think vouchers are the way to go, maybe submitting expenses instead?

And I doubt any independent / local companies would take these vouchers

And with aids - who is going to decide what's ok? I mean there are some aids that I can use if they're a certain type (I'm both hearing and sight impaired for example so some aids aimed at people with either or aren't helpful)