That permanently disabled people shouldn't have to reapply frequently for help

[Worrysaboutalot]

I was sent this on Facebook and thought it was just a good idea, that I would see if anyone on here wanted to support Francesca Mason.

Francesca Mason said....
"I have a disability called Achondroplasia. It is a physical disability that will not change over time. I am therefore proposing changes to the existing process of applying/renewing for Blue Badges & DLA/PIP, in order to better support disabled people."

Click here to support her

@Akire, but that doesn't help people who are forced to transition from DLA to PIP - and DC was never given a lifetime PIP award, despite it being a lifetime condition.
There is something very wrong with the system in place.

Yes I know it’s rubbish I agree. It’s still very much luck of the draw rather than a set procedure

Petition signed. We need a better system to support people with permanent, limiting conditions and disabilities.

Signed.

My dd has severe learning difficulties and four limb cerebral palsy plus epilepsy, she needs everything done for her around the clock and is like a new born yet we have to reapply every few years even though brain damage will not improve, absolutely disgusting op so I support this!

user195436581575 I think you do have a point about other people resenting something that they feel is unfair but I don't think it is as simple as jealousy. Sometimes it is ignorance - "He looks fine! Why does he get £££ and I don't?" Sometimes it is because life isn't fair and whilst Mr X might get several hundred a month because he suffers from one thing Mrs Y does not get it for her condition. And that isn't fair.

The facility to award a benefit for life certainly used to be available - and clearly still should be - but to my mind the system needs a complete overhaul anyway. But that's another thread.

I had a lifetime award on DLA but was forced to apply for PIP
To my surprise I got mobility which I didn’t think I was entitled to and daily living went up from standard to enhanced
However I was only given award for 5 years so will have to re apply
None of my conditions will improve and at mid fifties are likely to get worse so seems pointless to keep having to waste public funds on process

I too have signed, as I get so incredibly stressed every time that I have to prove my disability, yet again. The worst time was when I was interviewed by Atos for my DLA (now PIP). The interview was conducted by a foreign nurse, who for the most part didn't appear to understand OR speak good English. She stated on her report that I would be fit for work in a couple of months, and put me in the ESA (work related activity group). The fact that I hadn't been able to work for 13 years by then, and had doctors reports and a report from my consultant stating that I would never be fit for work again, and that my condition would only get worse, seemed to completely pass ATOS and the DWP by!! I was put through so much stress that I almost took my own life, it was only my family and close friends who helped me through. Then, on the day of my appeal Tribunal, the judges decided, having read a diary which I'd written over a period of 2 weeks, that they didn't even need to see me, in order to find in my favour!! All of this expense and stress could have been saved if they simply accepted the word of doctors who actually know me. This could so easily have turned out the other way, meaning that they would never have to pay out for me ever again, but I refused in the end to let the bastards beat me. However, even now, I dread the prospect of that brown envelope coming through the door again, saying I need to complete yet another application for my benefits or Blue Badge. Life is hard enough for people like me, without having to go through this every few years.

Sorry! Rant over!

I’ve signed it.
It’s ridiculous that these people have prove their permanent disability over and over.
There’s no miraculous recovery from some conditions

I have a lifelong degenerative illness.
I still have to go through the horrific process every three years.
I'm not get better ffs, its not even possible.
My Daughter has it now, and she'll be put through it too.
Its inhumane.

@Phoenix21

Can I ask, did DLA have to be renewed under the Labour govt?

DH was awarded it for life........ until it was changed to PIP & he was assessed 2 years ago. Now, after initially being denied it, then having it reinstated on appeal, he will be reassessed after 3 years. For something that will only get worse not better. How the hell standing on one leg for 3 seconds meant he could work is beyond me.

My heart goes out to anyone who has to deal with this.

Another one with a lifetime award under DLA. I’ve been refused PiP, had it reinstated, got a lower award, next assessment back up. Every three bloody years, only it isn’t really because they frequently send the forms early in an attempt to shave off a few months.

Yes, but there might be a biblical style miracle and an individual's MS, Parkinson's, spinal cord injury etc may just resolve and they can do all the things that they couldn't do before.

Apologies, I am being tongue in cheek but I can think of no reason why an individual with a degenerative disorder or a permanent and substantial disability would need to be continually reviewed, other than to cause great distress.

This has been the case for years.
I clearly recall 30/35 years ago someone coming to our house to (re)assess my hypoxic brain injured brother. The brother with severe developmental delay, left hemiplegia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy. The brother that would never learn to walk or even bear his own weight, or signal when he needed the toilet.
Utterly disgusting that children and their parents or loved ones still have to be put through this farcical box ticking exercise.

And all these assessments are costing far more than any savings, it is not a bad wage for an assessor, so it is nothing to do with money just general attitudes towards disabled people.

Signed. I have 2 children born with the same incurable, lifelong disability and have to re apply for their DLA, one gets awarded 2 years each time, the other 4! Their care needs may alter slightly but they will never “outgrow” their brain damage.

The current system must cost so much money. I used to work with adults with severe learning difficulties and they would have to be periodically assessed. These were people who were incontinent and non verbal who would need 24/7 support for the rest of their lives. Surely if a condition will not improve it is pointless having assessments and filling out paperwork.

My friend had no legs below the knees. Always having to confirm her disability hadn't changed. She once wrote on the form that to her knowledge nobody she had ever heard of had regrow their missing limbs.. I wish I had seen the person's face assessing her application..

@nokidshere

I've signed. Although I have a permanent and progressive disability and at my 3yr review (in 2020 by phone) I was told that they made it a 15yr award so I don't need to reapply until 2035, so maybe they have already started doing it?

I thought this was changed while Teresa May was PM but obviously don't know who would fall into the new extended category.

It’s not a X condition is life or 10y. It’s down to the assessor to put what they think is next review date. Keeps them in a job I suppose

I'm unsure about signing this. I was just about to but then noticed that it said 'physical disabilities'- what about people with permanent severe mental illnesses and other incapacitating conditions?

It’s important the conversation gets started. It’s probable easier to engage people with ha the Government think my legs, arms will grow back than list every sort of condition. Making it personal to the lady who started it no doubts gets more clicks?

@Whatisthisfuckery how did they know how much you had in your ISA account?

@Akire

It’s important the conversation gets started. It’s probable easier to engage people with ha the Government think my legs, arms will grow back than list every sort of condition. Making it personal to the lady who started it no doubts gets more clicks?

Maybe any disability deemed permanent or progressive by a diagnosing medical practitioner; where the extent of functional limitation is likely to remain unchanged, would do?