I would just like to draw people's attention to a consequence of changing DLA (disability living allowance)to PIP (personal independence payments) payments. I am a 33 year old man with right hemiplegia, a form of cerebral palsy which means I can't use my right arm or leg. I am fully ambulant. At present, under a three- tier payment system, , I receive the lowest rate of DLA care component (£21 a week) which is awarded if you have difficulties preparing a meal. When DLA is changed to two tier PiP payments, more stringent points criteria will mean that many people like me will no longer have amy chance of qualifying for disability benefit.
Now, from a personal perspective, losing £21 a week is not critical, although I recognise that for some people it would have serious implications. The thing I think no one had considered is that if you in receipt of a disability benefit and are in low paid work, as a single person you receive working tax credit. Now, if you no longer qualify undwr far more stringent PIP criteria,then you are no longer going to qualify for tax credits, or whatever the equivalent under universal credit ( which I think is going to subsume wtc). Scary, huh?