Two tier PIP

[Spartacus]

Today, after pressure from backbenchers, the goverent did a u turn on PIP cuts for the disabled but they are now proposing that existing claimant won't be impacted but new claimants will face a higher barrier to get PIP. 

Therefore two people with the same condition and difficulties in day to day living might get treated differently depending in when their condition started. 

This equates to an unfair two tier system and seems an ill thought knee jerk reaction.

Please contact your local MP to ask them to vote against changes until it is properly thought through and disabled people are consulted on proposed changes.

[Angelina]

Do you disagree that the projected increase in the cost of providing benefit's is unaffordable, and that change is not required?

[Spartacus]

I believe change is needed but, and this is a big but, it needs to be thought through properly and disabled people consulted on the impact 

[Angelina]

Perhaps it needs to be in conjunction with other measures - eg Pathway to Work - and perhaps the question of why there is such an increase in applicants forecast, needs to be addressed.

There is also Govt funding for people to use (Access to Work) 

 

[Spartacus]

Problem is Angelina, removing pip also can result in loss of carers allowance which is key to some disabled people's quality of life. 

Do you think we should just abandon the most vulnerable in society ? I dont !! 

Edited 11 hours ago by Spartacus

[alice]

There is a continuum of needs, so I think referring to everybody who claims PIP atm as the ‘most vulnerable’ in society is highly misleading. 

[Angelina]

It isn't a blanket removal of support though is it. It's changing the criteria, so that those who need the support get it and those who need other support get that.

 

 

 

[Spartacus]

Like I said, the measure is needed but its badly thought through 

Most people who become or are disabled don't choose it (i certainly didn't)  and often want to work but being disabled often adds costs to daily living so PIP is a valuable life line and carers are often taking strain of community support services so we can't begrudge their modest allowance. 

I'm simply advocating that the vote on Tuesday is withdrawn until its properly consulted on and thought through. 

Out of curiosity Angelina and Alice are either of you disabled or are you posting from a privileged point of view in life??

 

[Angelina]

My perspective is based on reason - my first comment was a question - what is driving the forecast increase in claimants.

It suggests that - if so many new claims are expected, that either there is something seriously wrong or the tests are not sufficiently stringent.

Happy for you to have a stab at that.

[Spartacus]

Of course 

The tests are very stringent and they look carefully at claimants for things like how easily they can get up from an armless chair, if they don't use the chair arms thats a black mark, can they walk More 20 yards without problems including breathlessness, pain or even if they need aids (again over 20 yards reduces their chances of claiming) and so on 

Trust me, having been assessed a few times, its not easy or guarenteed to get or maintain PIP. 

But yes, the whole what is claimed for should be reviewed bur let's not penalise those who need it.

 

[Angelina]

I don't think anyone wants people who need support not to have it.

 

[HeadNun]

I hate the idea of someone with a genuine disability losing money, it's heart-breaking. I thought the whole idea of these cuts was to get kids with mental health issues, which we used to call 'the human condition', off benefits and into a job. Before anyone says anything, I'm not talking about people with severe autism. 

If the tests are so astringent, Spartacus, how come healthy youngsters with anxiety are getting benefits? It's ludicrous. 

This from The Times: 

Then there is mental health. This is the fastest-growing category of claim; anxiety and depression is now the single biggest reason to claim PIPs, accounting for 16 per cent of spending. Including problems such as autism and ADHD, there are 1.4 million people claiming for “psychiatric disorders”, almost 40 per cent of the total.

 

NHS figures on Thursday found that 23 per cent of people of working age now have a mental disorder, up from 18 per cent a decade ago, rising to 26 per cent in 16 to 24 year-olds.

Young people are most likely to claim benefits for mental health problems and there is growing concern about a generation who may do so for decades. The number of children on disability living allowance, the precursor to PIPs, will reach a million by the end of the decade, double pre-Covid levels. Most of these are for behavioural problems such as ADHD or learning disabilities

 

[Spartacus]

@HeadNun I haven't been through the assessment for mental health issues, god knows they treat you like you have one when you are assessed for motability issues. Therefore I can't comment on what you've read but don't always believe what the media telks you as they often sensationalise things to sell papers and bend the story slightly 😉 

All I am doing in this thread is asking people who disagree to the PIP reform in its current format to write to their MP to say so and ask for a well consulted and thought through change.

I'm not here to change people's minds but happy to discuss how disability impacts lives.

Edited 8 hours ago by Spartacus

[Spartacus]

Came across this link today that generates a stock letter to you MP if you object to the Proposed chases in their current format. 

https://takingthepip.co.uk/write-to-your-mp/#letter

Again, not trying to change individuals minds on here but get a fair consultation and discussion 

Only thing to remember is add your contact number to the bottom.orherwise it is ignored