More Stupidity

The Coalition Government plans to scrap DLA in favour of a new objective benefit called Personal Independence Payments and will include a medical assessment in order for a claimant to prove entitlement according to a public consultation paper into DLA reform.

So the attack on sick and disabled people is set to continue! Please share this frightening information with as many people and groups as possible so that a proper campaign against scrapping DLA can be coordinated. I can see these changes bringing out a huge number of people onto the streets in protest to show the government that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

The full consultation can viewed and downloaded here;

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dla-reform-consultation.pdf

The following comes from that said report;

THE GOVERNMENTS APPROACH TO DISABILITY BENEFIT REFORM

We propose to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with a new cash benefit – Personal Independence Payment – which will contribute to the extra costs of overcoming the barriers faced by disabled people to lead full and active lives.

The benefit will reflect changes in society, such as legislation. Disabled people are rightly not prepared to accept being restricted from playing an active part in society. We need a benefit that helps contribute to the extra costs of living independently, in a way that is right for each individual.

The benefit will continue to take account of the social model of disability. The assessment will be objective, reflect the impact of the barriers disabled people may experience, and make sure they are treated as individuals.

Central to Personal Independence Payment will be a new, fairer, objective assessment, which will allow us to identify those who face the greatest need, in a more consistent and transparent manner. We are developing the new assessment in collaboration with a group of independent specialists in health, social care and disability, including disabled people.

Personal Independence Payment will be based on need not income and will be a more active benefit, recognising changes to individuals’ situations and taking account of the support that disabled people can access to help them live independently. Where possible, we will signpost individuals to support that may help them manage their condition. We will ensure that the award continues to reflect the individual’s changing needs over time by building in periodic reviews.

The new benefit will be introduced in 2013/14, so there will be further opportunities to feed in views on how we might deliver it. We are already involving disabled people in developing the new benefit and will continue to do so.

We will introduce a Bill that will set out the high-level legal framework underpinning the new benefit, with the detailed requirements set out in secondary legislation.

Responses to this consultation will be used to inform secondary legislation on this detailed design, including the new assessment process. Where possible, and in particular on the new assessment, we will be publishing draft regulations during the passage of the Bill.

WHAT WILL STAY THE SAME

We want to be clear about what we propose will remain the same under the new system. We recognise that there are a number of features of DLA which many disabled people value, in particular the ability to spend the money in a range of ways to meet their personal circumstances. That is why Personal Independence Payment will remain an extra-costs benefit, providing cash support and allowing disabled people to spend the benefit in the way which best meets their individual needs.

The new benefit will not be means-tested or taxable, and payment will not depend on having paid National Insurance contributions. It will continue to be available to those who are in work, as well as those who are out of work.

Support will continue to be provided to children and adults up to the age of 65. Individuals who receive the benefit before reaching 65 may continue to receive Personal Independence Payment if their needs continue. We will keep the upper age limit for receiving the new benefit under review, given the changes being made to the State Pension age.

We will continue to support those in the most difficult circumstances by
maintaining special rules for people who are terminally ill. Claims submitted under these rules will be fast tracked to provide financial support as quickly as possible.

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I can not stress the importance of getting this information to as many people as possible. If you run a group which has interests in protecting disabled people please copy this message and forward it on to others.

If you are a member of such a group or organisation please forward this message onto whoever runs the group or organisation or anyone else who may be interested.

This shocking treatment of disabled people can not be permitted to continue!

This I took from the facebook page Welfare Rights. With thanks to Steven Preece.

News Article

I read a news article today passed on to me by friend. This gentleman had major brain surgery and the DWP expected him to go back to work 2 weeks later.

pa.press.net, Updated: 03/08/2010 06:56
Brain op man told to return to work
A man has received an apology after his benefits were stopped by officials who he claims told him he was well enough to return to work just days after having brain surgery.

Bryan Haigh, 50, from Leeds, underwent the major operation to remove a tumour from his brain on July 20. He said bosses at the Department for Work and Pensions decreed in a letter dated July 22 that he was officially fit to work and they could stop his £65-a-week benefits.

But a spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "Having reviewed the case, we have arranged for Mr Haigh's Employment and Support Allowance to continue. We have contacted him to apologise and inform him of his future payments. If anyone is unhappy with a benefit decision they should get in touch with Jobcentre Plus, and we will look at it again."

The next thing they will be trying to force me back to work. There is already 2.5 million people not working in the uk, if they dpeople who are to sick to work where are they saving money in the end.

Update

Again I reapplied for Disability Living Allowance at the middle rates. Again I have been turned down. In basic terms because I have coping methods it makes me less disabled. They don't take into account I can never work again.

I have also lost some of my housing and council tax benefit. They seem to let Asylum seekers have no trouble having money, yet people who have lived in the country all their lives get shafted. In London an asylum seeker gets paid £2000 a week in housing benefit, after being moved from a house only costing £800 a week housing benefit because she didn't like the area. I am not a racist but they need to think about the people in this country who need help first before helping others.

There is people who get high rate disability for having an addiction or just being depressed. If they have an addiction surely giving them more money gives them more money to spend on it. If someone is depressed, they should go out and get a job perhaps that would stop them feeling so depressed.

I have been told by people to stop complaining and be grateful for for what I get. If I could work I would are they or anybody out there, willing to find me a job that I can do for 3 hours a week for a full weeks wages then I would work.

I read in a news paper about a war hero who lost a leg. He has been told hes not entitled to some benefits. This is completely wrong. He was fighting for our freedom he deserves all the help he can get.

This government and the last seem to think if you can cope your not entitled to help. It needs sorting!

Long Term Sick!

Im watching a programme on Channel 4 at the moment, about the government trying to get people on the sick back to work.

They are saying its not about what you cant do. It is about what you can do. With my condition as I have explained in an earlier post I am totally unfit to work.

Its ok getting people off the sick but if you are going to risk your health and cost the government more who wins.

Because of my tumours, it will be hard to find a company willing to take me on. Besides it would cost them a lot more to insure me. I get tired easy and cannot sit down for very long. I fall asleep sometimes in the afternoon round friends and families houses. I cannot drive because I have double vision and could black out at any time.

Im 30 and embarassed to tell people that I cannot (not wont) work . I know for the rest of my life I wont be working. I would love to be able to gain some self respect back and work.

There are people on the sick who are fit to work. Why should those who genuinely cannot work be treated like shit and looked on.

When I was a kid we had a neighbour who used to lift slabs and do his garden. Then when anyone official came to visit he started using his crutches to make himself look worse. Yes I can walk but slowly and really have to concentrate. Because I can walk very slowly, looks like they will try and make work.

I do try and do volunteer work but after 3 hours I'm exhausted. How would I be if I did a full weeks work? The government need to look at people who can work but don't work first.

Most people around my age have families now and are happy. Because I'm on benefits I don't think its fair for me to have a family for other people to pay.