Disability benefits and Mel Stride

I completely agree. It’s awful to spread these rumours. No doubt he will be able to dig up someone, who would have to be part of a family related group all sharing the same household, so in theory Mum and Dad could both be in receipt of Universal Credit and not working and living in council accommodation, and both have conditions that allow PIP to be awarded AND have two or three children, also disabled or have a condition allowing them to be awarded Disability Living Allowance. There are such families, but believe me they are very few and far between.

Without directly referring to your comments I’d just like to say that there are no more ‘disgusted’ of Tunbridge Wells than there are in any other large town in many other parts of the country. Those days are long gone yet the term is still bandied around, to resident’s huge irritation. Many are just about existing, certainly not living a life of comfort.

NanaBabs1

Without directly referring to your comments I’d just like to say that there are no more ‘disgusted’ of Tunbridge Wells than there are in any other large town in many other parts of the country. Those days are long gone yet the term is still bandied around, to resident’s huge irritation. Many are just about existing, certainly not living a life of comfort.

I did apologise for that! But it just felt that that was what he was doing! Maybe should have said Chipping Norton, home of the bringer of austerity, Cameron!

Is his role model, Hitler?

The green paper suggests that PIP is replaced with a voucher system. This would mean that claimants would send receipts for things they have bought to the DWP to claim a refund
One off grants for equipment and home alterations.
Therapy or respite care instead of cash.
Also the cost of PIP be passed on to local authorities or the NHS.
How would people come up with the cash to buy items to help with disability in the first place?

I’m so sorry that you, and many others, are having to go through this MadeinYorkshire.. I too am sick to death of this government demonising the vulnerable. The measure of a decent society is how it treats its most vulnerable - clearly this government does not hold with this concept. Hopefully things will be better after the GE - I’m confident that the Labour Party believes in social justice.

For those who haven’t read it, here is the Green Paper

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

Vouchers and reimbursement for items already purchased are separate suggestions mouseybrown.

This is of course a consultation paper. Nothing is set in stone.

Mouseybrown60

The green paper suggests that PIP is replaced with a voucher system. This would mean that claimants would send receipts for things they have bought to the DWP to claim a refund
One off grants for equipment and home alterations.
Therapy or respite care instead of cash.
Also the cost of PIP be passed on to local authorities or the NHS.
How would people come up with the cash to buy items to help with disability in the first place?

They wouldn’t, that’s the whole point.

Basically since PIP was introduced 10 years ago, under the Conservatives, it’s proved more costly than they anticipated so now they essentially wish to change the criteria for being awarded PIP, to let less people “pass” the already very strict criteria. It’s not easy to get PIP. For many it’s a fight, and this will simply be more of a fight AND result in increased costs as more will appeal through the tribunal services, once one has been through the laughable DWP “Mandatory Reconsideration” process.

Ultimately the aim is to save money, bu***r the disabled!

LizzieDrip

I’m so sorry that you, and many others, are having to go through this MadeinYorkshire.. I too am sick to death of this government demonising the vulnerable. The measure of a decent society is how it treats its most vulnerable - clearly this government does not hold with this concept. Hopefully things will be better after the GE - I’m confident that the Labour Party believes in social justice.

Very well expressed LizzieDrip.
Good grief, how sickeningly low will they go? I hope you are OK MadeinYorkshire, sending hugs to you and your little dog

I agree with you Cossy; the poor never have a voice.
Thanks for the link GSM.

MadeInYorkshire
Like you I am in receipt of maximum PIP for both daily care and mobility though I use this to lease a drive from wheelchair vehicle.
Many of the expenses you have itemised are those that have to be paid by everyone, disabled or not. We all have housing, food and utility bills to pay and if you are a home owner the cost and responsibility for maintaining the fabric of your property falls on you. PIP is intended to help towards additional costs incurred through being disabled, things like your contribution towards your care costs, scooter insurance, gardening, cleaning and additional heating costs. Certainly for me, the current £434 a month goes a long way towards it. I hooves alone and have 30 hours of care each week which I have to contribute towards and the amount I pay is re-assessed every April. It is very clearly laid out in the assessment guidelines that allowances have to be made for these kinds of additional costs when calculating how much your contribution will be and can lower it considerably. The local authority doesn’t advertise this and you have to be very persistent in insuring that all allowable expenses are included. It’s an annual battle.

An assessment by an Occupational Therapist from your local authority housing department could help you resolve the issue of an accessible toilet. I have an all singing, all dancing Closomat toilet which enables me to maintain full independence in that regard. It was paid for with a Disabled Persons Facilities Grant which, again, not all disabled people are aware of.

I am sorry that you feel your life is just an existence. Everyone deserves better than that, disabled or not.

I think people should read the link I posted. As I said, it is only a green (consultation) paper inviting comments. The proposed vouchers would be given to enable people to buy things such as aids. The receipt idea is quite separate, to reimburse in whole or in part expenditure already incurred. I find it is always useful to go to the original source (in this case the green paper) rather than rely on what is reported in the media which can only ever give part of the picture - or on the propaganda which people put out without knowing the full story.

I think they’re trying to change disability benefits to those with mental health issues, more than anyone else:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0ry09d50wo

But, I can’t see anything changing now before the GE, and no one knows what Labour might do.

Have you read the green paper?

Germanshepherdsmum

Have you read the green paper?

... thanks for the link GSM, always best to go straight to the horse's mouth. I shall now read it as I couldn't find it earlier.

Cossy

Mouseybrown60

The green paper suggests that PIP is replaced with a voucher system. This would mean that claimants would send receipts for things they have bought to the DWP to claim a refund
One off grants for equipment and home alterations.
Therapy or respite care instead of cash.
Also the cost of PIP be passed on to local authorities or the NHS.
How would people come up with the cash to buy items to help with disability in the first place?

They wouldn’t, that’s the whole point.

it is unbelievable

Please read the link.