Budget - tougher for DLA claimants

Prinzessilein

For those who (like me) find it hard/impossible some days to boil the kettle and pour for a cup of tea, Lakeland Ltd do a one-person coffee-maker that also makes tea/chocolate/soup et.c. It can use those coffee-pod thingies too.

You pour cold water in the top and the hot water is dispensed directly into your mug. No pouring, so no scalds! On 'bad' days I use my two-handled mug.

It's not exactly cheap - about £30 but I love it. It helps me have the independence of making my own cuppa. And it's one of the devices I bought with my DLA. That's what my DLA is meant for - to help me keep my independence!

Indie_Kid

Prinzessilein wrote: »

For those who (like me) find it hard/impossible some days to boil the kettle and pour for a cup of tea, Lakeland Ltd do a one-person coffee-maker that also makes tea/chocolate/soup et.c. It can use those coffee-pod thingies too.

You pour cold water in the top and the hot water is dispensed directly into your mug. No pouring, so no scalds! On 'bad' days I use my two-handled mug.

It's not exactly cheap - about £30 but I love it. It helps me have the independence of making my own cuppa. And it's one of the devices I bought with my DLA. That's what my DLA is meant for - to help me keep my independence!

Bit cheaper than what you mentioned - http://www.lakeland.co.uk/lakeland-one-cup-coffee-!AMPERSAND-tea-maker/F/C/eating-drinking-serving/C/eating-drinking-serving-drinks-makers-water-filter-jugs/product/12836

summerof0763

krisskross wrote: »

You miss the point completely. All his care needs are met, by me. I am a trained nurse who retired on grade H so he gets experienced, knowledgable care. So can he not then use the money as he so desires?

And if that is buying 'stuff' for the person who cares for him surely he is allowed to do that?

Believe me his life would be much poorer if i was not around, in fact he simply would die. I think £70 odd quid a week is a very small price for the amount of care he needs. Plus think of how difficult it would be for him to access 24/7 live in care for £70.

No we don't desperately need the money but only because we live a fairly frugal lifestyle. As pensioners we only have a certain amount of income and no method of increasing it. In fact our savings lose value by the day as interest rates are so low.

AA like DLA is not means tested. If it was we wouldn't get it. Perhaps means testing these benefits would please you so that only the poor get it. But that is not the raison d'etre of the benefits. It is for ALL people with care and/or mobility needs regardless of their income. Even if they can meet the additional costs out of income.

using goverment money for what it was NOT intended for,its meant for your husband not you.
yet you spout on about others using money for the most basic NEEDS
you certainly got your priorities right didn't you,and your on here for hours at a time,you must have a lot of spare time

savagej

There is nothing in law that states what you should spend social security on, for example you could spend a funeral payment to decorate your living room. What it is paid to you for and what you choose to spend it on can and often are too different things and you are doing nothing wrong.

stargazer59

krisskross wrote: »

You miss the point completely. All his care needs are met, by me. I am a trained nurse who retired on grade H so he gets experienced, knowledgable care. So can he not then use the money as he so desires?

And if that is buying 'stuff' for the person who cares for him surely he is allowed to do that?

Believe me his life would be much poorer if i was not around, in fact he simply would die. I think £70 odd quid a week is a very small price for the amount of care he needs. Plus think of how difficult it would be for him to access 24/7 live in care for £70.

No we don't desperately need the money but only because we live a fairly frugal lifestyle. As pensioners we only have a certain amount of income and no method of increasing it. In fact our savings lose value by the day as interest rates are so low.

AA like DLA is not means tested. If it was we wouldn't get it. Perhaps means testing these benefits would please you so that only the poor get it. But that is not the raison d'etre of the benefits. It is for ALL people with care and/or mobility needs regardless of their income. Even if they can meet the additional costs out of income.

You seem to be confused, you are the one spouting about people not using their benefits appropriately, but you are not using your husbands benefits to help with his disability.

You say you only applied for it to prove a point? Not the behaviour and attitude i would expect from a pensioner who talks on here from the moral high ground!

I know exactly what DLA and AA are for , i get HRM and MRC and i use it to help me with my life not lifestyle!

As for your husband dying if you werent there to care for him??? Please dont be so foolish!

Oldernotwiser

Trialia wrote: »

Have you ever actually tasted tea made in the microwave? It's horrible...

I never said tea - I suggested it might be easier to make a different type of hot drink. (Although actually, we make a pot of tea in the morning, pour it out and it reheats in the microwave just fine.)

Indie_Kid

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I never said tea - I suggested it might be easier to make a different type of hot drink. (Although actually, we make a pot of tea in the morning, pour it out and it reheats in the microwave just fine.)

I am not allowed (can't remember off the top of my head what) the majority of hot drinks, apart from tea & coffee.

Oldernotwiser

summerof0763 wrote: »

to be honest if you were a few years younger ,just maybe you would not have been awarded carers allowance,it's not automatic,and also he may only have been awarded lower care

Carers Allowance is automatic if you care for someone who gets medium or higher rate DLA.

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Carers Allowance is automatic if you care for someone who gets medium or higher rate DLA.

It still has to be applied for though but will be backdated to when the middle/higher rate was awarded.

krisskross

summerof0763 wrote: »

using goverment money for what it was NOT intended for,its meant for your husband not you.
yet you spout on about others using money for the most basic NEEDS
you certainly got your priorities right didn't you,and your on here for hours at a time,you must have a lot of spare time

I am retired after working from age 16 to 59. Think I have earned the right to spend my time as I wish.

OK if it pleases you I will divorce him then he can spend the AA getting a pitiful amount of care.

By the way all money that comes into our household is 'ours'. We do not have his and hers. Just one bank account.

So pray tell me what the £70 a week should be spent on? He has no unmet care needs. However were I not providing the care it would cost far in excess of £70 a week. Actually I am quite a bargain:j