Comments | sparking_off: One Month Before Heartbreak

sparking_off

One Month Before Heartbreak

Jan 14, 2011 12:35

Apologies in advance to my ‘regular’ readers - this is not a fandom-based entry. This is an entry about disability, and about what being disabled means to and for me ( Read more... )

Comments 6

meegosh January 14 2011, 18:17:09 UTC

From what I did from the consultation - there is a huge emphasis on DLA being seen as an unemployed only benefit. This seems to suggest that they think people are scared of losing DLA if they start work. THIS IS AN EDUCATION PROBLEM.

They can not present how many fewer people will qualify for the new benefit without having decided that there are people they believe do not need the extra help. It's not clear that this is based on anything but money. Which is wrong. Social benefit is there for those most needy in society, in which case we should not be putting expense before ensuring people can have a basic quality of life.

For all of the above I am preaching to the converted. But this is my other fear for the removal of DLA. DLA does lead to other benefits. For example cold weather payments and premiums on jobseekers allowance (the unemployment benefit they seem to want all unemployed people on).

I've got a letter to write to my PCT soon so I must sit down and write out my letter to Maria Miller as well soon.

morbid_sparks January 14 2011, 18:21:33 UTC

Actually DLA does NOT entitle you to cold weather payments. For that you have to be on JSA, IS, ESA with disability premiums, or with a child under five, a child who is disabled, or Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element. Ergo if I did not have IS, I would not get the payments (as I did not last winter, nor any winter until this year).

It should, but it doesn't.

meegosh January 14 2011, 19:50:33 UTC

Cold weather payments require at least two levels of entitlement. First is the entitlement to a mean tested benefit such as JSA IB, the second is based on either having a child under five or being entitled to particular premiums.

We won't continue this discussion in a public space but I will explain myself to you.

morbid_sparks January 14 2011, 18:24:55 UTC

Mum's DLA is up for renewal, but we're hoping that there's so much overwhelming evidence that she won't have a problem; GP today said we should call and she'll book a triple appt so we can go through the whole thing and she can write an appropriate, good letter. Social worker at Papworth is also going to help.

criccieth January 14 2011, 20:16:31 UTC

Your problems sound a great deal like my mothers. She too has the problem that she "looks" fine but, for example, in the recent snow when she left her flat she needed my support to cross the carpark because she has poor balance and could easily fall. She's 62 and walks like an 85 year old. She lives less than 100 yards from a co-op but for her shopping she has to drive to the local supermarket, as she simply can't to the co-op without support. i will go round to her flat and take a letter and walk the 75 yards to the doctors surgery rather than risk her trying to walk there and be unable to make it back ( ... )

musingwoman2 March 21 2011, 20:42:45 UTC

I never cease to be amazed at the talent this country wastes by not getting its benefits system right, and by treating people with disabilities as if they do not matter. I am an OT (mental health - older people)). I have a friend with ME, she is only allowed to earn £20 a week because the accessors will not accept that she has a permanent disability (has been unable to work for 25 years, go figure!), like many people with ME if she paces herself she can do a couple of hours work every day and being able to earn a little more would mean she can do basic things like buy new clothes, which in turn helps employ someone else doesn't it ( ... )