Budget - tougher for DLA claimants

24skins

de1amo wrote: »

i am still no wiser as to what is going to happen in 2013--as i heard the budget as it was spoken he definately said that all new applicants for dla would be assessed by appointment after 2013---he didnt refer to existing people--i have read on other thread people expressing the same fact.-when they introduced the atos scheme they didnt apply it to existing dwp clients at first---it would be impossible to assess all the people on dla personally because of the sheer volume--i suspose they could employ loads more people into government to save lots of money!!

In the speech he made it sound as though it was for new DLA claimants and existing claimants at renewal, but the wording of the budget allows for current claimants to be reassessed before the end of their existing award. I, like many others I'm sure, would like clarification on whether this is going to affect every DLA claimant ASAP.

1.103 The Government will reform the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to ensure support is targeted on those with the highest medical need. The Government will introduce the use of objective medical assessments for all DLA claimants from 2013-14 to ensure payments are only made for as long as a claimant needs them.

de1amo

i never seem to get a 'end date on my claim---i went to an appeal when i got my award and then for unfathomable years after i get forms to fill in--then i hear nothing about when the next assessment is--last time i filled one in was about 2 years ago and it didnt have an end date --so dont know my reclaim date -makes no odds if it all unfolds as 2013 for everyone--
Needs assessment sounds like speak for medical assessment of illness--i need more money because i cant work but i cant see them helping me out with that one

Oldernotwiser

daska wrote: »

If you had been unable to work due to depression but work hadn't been the most severe aspect what would have happened. The logical assumption is that the depression would have continued and made it impossible to go back to work.

Using your argument - wouldn't that have been to avoid taking responsibility?

You obviously cannot cover every eventuallity and depression doesn't always have a specific cause. However, people are often in control of a variety of aspects of their lives and if they suspect that these might be contributory factors they can change them.

Where people aren't working because of depression it might well be worth their while finding out whether their condition might be helped by working, rather than assuming the opposite.

24skins

de1amo wrote: »

i never seem to get a 'end date on my claim---i went to an appeal when i got my award and then for unfathomable years after i get forms to fill in--then i hear nothing about when the next assessment is--last time i filled one in was about 2 years ago and it didnt have an end date --so dont know my reclaim date -makes no odds if it all unfolds as 2013 for everyone--
Needs assessment sounds like speak for medical assessment of illness--i need more money because i cant work but i cant see them helping me out with that one

My son's end date is Nov 2015, I really was hoping we'd be left alone until then after having to renew 4 times (with the same award each time) in the past 7 years.

I hope we get clarification soon.

candykisses

jenniewb wrote: »

I can see many lives falling to pieces without the financial support to help them go about their lives and work or voluntary work. I think the scare-mongering needs to change as I have quite a few friends wrapped up in total anxiety over this- a part of their mental health conditions yes but it does not help and both the media and conservative party should know better, there are many people with depression and anxiety issues who get DLA and the more negative mindset and irrational behavior makes it a big risk to report things like this.

Yes those who are honesty ill will (apparently) still get DLA but if your already saddled with a negative mindset your not going to believe that anyone will hear or understand what you say and that as a result you will lose out: a side effect of being mentally ill is lack of confidence in yourself and lack of trust in others to listen or believe you.

Thank you for a great posting. :T

That was very well put and my sentiments exactly.

You are exactly right when you say no amount of reassurance will work with some people who are mentally ill - when you have a parent, family member or friend who has suffered paranoid schizophrenia and clinical depression, things like this just make their lives even more stressful. It is often severe stress that has brought on the very condition in the first place!

When that someone spends all day watching the budget and not eating because they are literally worried sick then that is not a good thing.

I was appalled at some of the sarcastic comments earlier on in this thread (you know who you are). Believe me, these people are not just hungover or lazy they are ILL and often a danger to themselves or others. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves, I only hope you never have to cope with anything like that yourselves!!:mad:

BLT_2

sh1305 wrote: »

So, you gave up and retired. Yet, are telling people not to give up and go on to benefits.

People who whine that they need DLA to buy takeaways because some days they can't be bothered to cook should avoid criticising other people.

BLT_2

TheBottomLine wrote: »

BLT and Burkey (and others who agree with them or who have thanked them for their 'useful' posts) are prime examples of the ignorant and closed-minded attitude towards mental health we still have in this country, even in the 21st century. It's difficult enough trying to live as normal a life as possible but we often have to deal with people like this who have the intolerance levels of a Nazi. Unless they're just trying to wind us up for a bit of fun, in which case they'll be off out later to tip someone out of a wheelchair or kick some crutches away.

It speaks volumes about these people that they have nothing better to do than come here and abuse disabled people. They're clearly working through some personal issues.

I'm doing that later, have to watch the England match first. Nobody is abusing disabled people, merely stating that the system needs a shake-up. The fact that so many people are complaining that they will have to have a review or complaining that the government should not have such checks beggars questions in itself

daska

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You obviously cannot cover every eventuallity and depression doesn't always have a specific cause. However, people are often in control of a variety of aspects of their lives and if they suspect that these might be contributory factors they can change them.

Where people aren't working because of depression it might well be worth their while finding out whether their condition might be helped by working, rather than assuming the opposite.

To suggest that someone can address any cause/s which are within their control and not make assumptions about the impact working might have on their condition is a very fair comment. Very different from

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

sh1305 wrote: »

Just because you were able to work through your depression, doesn't man others can.

I get so cheesed off when people keep saying this; it's just an excuse for many people to give up and take responsibility for their own health!

Indie_Kid

BLT wrote: »

People who whine that they need DLA to buy takeaways because some days they can't be bothered to cook should avoid criticising other people.

Maybe if you ever see me having a crisis, then maybe you will undersand why I sometimes have takeaways. Plus, I am physialy disabled too.

de1amo

BLT wrote: »

I'm doing that later, have to watch the England match first. Nobody is abusing disabled people, merely stating that the system needs a shake-up. The fact that so many people are complaining that they will have to have a review or complaining that the government should not have such checks beggars questions in itself

last time they shook this particular political soft target they stopped abruptly because they found that people on dla were not claiming all they should--someone stated that fact on this thread--it was in the mid nineties and the last conservative gov under john major--maybe if they reassess me i might get a higher rate!!