Budget - tougher for DLA claimants

Indie_Kid

starchild1972 wrote: »

A friend of mine lost her leg in 1979, she was asked last week when was she expected to recover from her injury. She said.."When scientists have found away for legs to grow back".
Many of the peeps we speak to on the phone read off a script and it is automatic.

Talk about engaging mouth before brain!

peediedj

candykisses wrote: »

On MoneyBox Live this afternoon (Radio 4) it was stated quite clearly that yes, only DLA claimants "of working age" will need to be reassessed, which obviously helps the older people and children if true.

I copied the above text from a previous post on this forum; I listened to the radio broadcast phone in and it did indeed say the above - has anyone else had any more information to back this up?

what age is classed as working age? in 2013 my son will be 16,but will probably stay in education until he,s 19,as he,ll never have a job

Indie_Kid

peediedj wrote: »

what age is classed as working age? in 2013 my son will be 16,but will probably stay in education until he,s 19,as he,ll never have a job

I would've thought 16 - earliest age ou pay tax & NI and when you can claim benefits in your own right.

Oldernotwiser

jenniewb wrote: »

Come on! If someone wants to cheat the system, they will fake a health problem. They will find a way. An interview with anything other then a bone scanner wont prove them wrong! An interview will only weed out the weaker members of society (and perhaps those most in need) from the strong!

But at least if we move away from form filling for benefits it will stop all the applications done by the various charities and organisations who use their expertise to enable people to make a successful claim without finding out in any way whether the claim is genuine.

nogginthenog

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

But at least if we move away from form filling for benefits it will stop all the applications done by the various charities and organisations who use their expertise to enable people to make a successful claim without finding out in any way whether the claim is genuine.

Then again how many times have people come out of a doctors surgery and thought,"i forgot something"
The advantage of forms is you have a long period to fill them out.
To have both would be the fair system. ie forms and compulsory exam.

[Deleted User]

starchild1972 wrote: »

A friend of mine lost her leg in 1979, she was asked last week when was she expected to recover from her injury. She said.."When scientists have found away for legs to grow back".
Many of the peeps we speak to on the phone read off a script and it is automatic.

But the point is people do 'recover' or adapt to their disability and thus need less support with care and mobility needs. Doubt they were asking when the leg was growing back, more why after 30 years has this person not adapted somewhat as others do.

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

Prinzessilein wrote: »

I am also Autistic. When I go for medicals (and tribunals) I have my mum with me for moral support and DIAL as my representatives. Your son doesn't have to go through this alone!
All the questions are directed at me, but I don't answer them, my DIAL representative does.

My concern with ATOS is that I will have someone who doesn't understand the problems of Autism and will refuse to let my representative speak on my behalf.

I have asperger's & I had to fight for 2 years to get my LRC/LRM as they stated that I was able to write very good letters to accompany my application therefore I couldn't possibly have the problems i'd listed.

I now receive MRC/LRM as my depression/anxiety has got so bad that I am virtually a prisoner in my own home & need a carer.

I am also worried whether they will fully understand the implications of having autism especially as it is an invisable disability.

Indie_Kid

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

I have asperger's & I had to fight for 2 years to get my LRC/LRM as they stated that I was able to write very good letters to accompany my application therefore I couldn't possibly have the problems i'd listed.

How do they know it was actually you that wrote the letter? When I had CAB acting on my behalf, they filled in the appeal form for me.

peediedj

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

I am also worried whether they will fully understand the implications of having autism especially as it is an invisable disability.

wouldnt say its a invisible disabiity,my son,s autistic and if he kicks of during the medical,due to not having his own doctors hes seen from day 1,it certainly wont be invisible the way he,ll carry on

Flibertigibit

It was I who originally posted about the new assessment only being needed for those of working age, and further confirmation of that can be found here http://www.disabilityaction.org/news/item/171/disability-action-statement-on-june-2010-budget/

The following is the direct statement on Disability Living Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions -

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) was originally designed to give those with severe disabilities extra help so they could live with dignity and independence in their own homes. While we are absolutely committed to supporting vulnerable disabled people, over the last decade the system has become open to abuse and the numbers claiming has steadily increased. In just eight years the numbers claiming DLA have risen by more than half a million.
DLA awards can be decided on the basis of self-reporting of need and, although medical assessments are sought for certain awards, these are not mandatory. We believe support must be offered on the basis of genuine need.
That's why we're taking the decision to reassess everyone of working age on DLA, and ensure everyone in the future goes through a proper gateway to claim the benefit.