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DLA guaranteed until 2014?!

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Comments

  • andyandflo
    andyandflo Posts: 791 Forumite
    sh1305 wrote: »
    Will it? So, where would someone get the money from for extra water, special dietary requirements, etc?

    If you were on High Care & High Mobility which is what I was on, you would be getting £121.25 pw.
    As far as I know and I am only suggesting this idea, I thought the water companies had special rates for disabled people who used a lot of water. And I do know that special dietary food - which I have for medical reasons, is obtainable on prescription.

    To be honest £121.25 every week is a lot of money to be spent on the 'extras' you may need, although I may be wrong on that.
    All I was saying that through sheer hard work, I got myself out of the system so that I didn't have to claim benefits. I had had enough of all the 'phy's, drugs and lock ups in a secure unit. Of course it would have been far easier just to carry on living my life as it was and receiving that 'guaranteed' payment for life.
    I am not 'better' now, I have learnt how to cope which is not the same thing.
    But at least I tried, and yes it nearly killed me, and nearly got me put away for GBH.
    How did I do it - I just dropped out and never went back, and changed my life to fit what I could cope with.
  • janninew
    janninew Posts: 3,781 Forumite
    andyandflo wrote: »
    This posting has moved since my earlier reply. But to be honest there is some truth in most of the replies.
    I agree, being paid extra money for a disability will not make it go away. The only likely effect will be if that money is spent of adaptions to the home, special equipment, paid carers, respite care and even drugs etc. But seriously I wonder how many people do that. It is 'lumped' with the rest of the income and treated as a bit more to spend, to provide for a slightly better lifestyle.
    In a way, it could be argued that DLA & AA should be scrapped altogether and the money saved, put into Community projects, such as improved welfare, district nurses etc. At least that way, it would be going to improve the disability and its effects.

    Nobody has yet mentioned, unless I have missed it, improving health. Somebody did touch on it, but it never took off. I wonder how many, in time gone by when 'for life' awards were given, have actually had an improvement in their disability and informed the DWP to ask for a reduction in DLA payment ie from High to Mid or even Low?
    I did, I suffered from depression for 7 years and couldn't wait to get off the benefit. I accepted all and every bit of help, and bit by bit succeeded. It was hard and I still suffer now but have learnt how to deal with it. I started on HC & HM and gradually reduced it to nil. They were for life awards!!!

    I agree with what your saying, my little brother has recently been diagnosed as Type 1 diabetic. I've been to a recent meeting for families and children who have diabetes and all 8 parents claim DLA (around 65.00 per week) I had a conversation with one mum who said she claims this, but hasn't spent a penny, it's put in a savings account for when her son goes to University, so far she has over 13,000! Obviously she isn't doing anything wrong, but this moneyis not being used to pay for help with diabetes. When I read some stories on here on people who need it and aren't entitled I wonder how they decide who really needs the money?
    :heart2: Newborn Thread Member :heart2:

    'Children reinvent the world for you.' - Susan Sarandan
  • Indie_Kid
    Indie_Kid Posts: 23,097 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    andyandflo wrote: »
    If you were on High Care & High Mobility which is what I was on, you would be getting £121.25 pw.
    As far as I know and I am only suggesting this idea, I thought the water companies had special rates for disabled people who used a lot of water.

    Only for those on income based benefits. They still have to pay for he water, you know!
    And I do know that special dietary food - which I have for medical reasons, is obtainable on prescription.

    Not everyone can get this. I can't.
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  • andyandflo
    andyandflo Posts: 791 Forumite
    actionman wrote: »
    All well and good if you find a job otherwise it is hard to survive long term on jobseekers. That in itself and getting into debt have led fragile people into breakdowns. That little bit of dla has given them stability and not having to worry if they are going to pay the next bill.

    There is the discrimination element. Employers from my experience spend longer talking about your depression in job interviews than the actual job requirements.Soul destroying

    I thought DLA was for the costs associated with your needs, not a supplement to JSA so that you can have a better lifestyle!

    Are you saying that you couldn't live on JSA without DLA? If so what were your extra costs for your needs?

    1000's manage to live on JSA. I did and it took 3 years before I got a job - and that was voluntary!

    Don't let them get to you - rise above it! Don't find excuses, it is called self help!
  • andyandflo
    andyandflo Posts: 791 Forumite
    janninew wrote: »
    I agree with what your saying, my little brother has recently been diagnosed as Type 1 diabetic. I've been to a recent meeting for families and children who have diabetes and all 8 parents claim DLA (around 65.00 per week) I had a conversation with one mum who said she claims this, but hasn't spent a penny, it's put in a savings account for when her son goes to University, so far she has over 13,000! Obviously she isn't doing anything wrong, but this moneyis not being used to pay for help with diabetes. When I read some stories on here on people who need it and aren't entitled I wonder how they decide who really needs the money?

    Just what was needed - a sensible woman's point of view. As a mere male, I couldn't have put it any clearer - Thanks. Yes, it is totally wrong, if they are able to save the money, then it is totally clear that it is not needed. The benefit is a payment to help towards the extra costs associated with the disability.

    It does seem that there is a strong theme in that the DLA payment is put with other monies to help pay bills etc. In your case, education!
  • andyandflo
    andyandflo Posts: 791 Forumite
    sh1305 wrote: »
    Only for those on income based benefits. They still have to pay for he water, you know!



    Not everyone can get this. I can't.

    Well if you are not on a means tested benefit, your income is a lot more than those that are!

    Incidentally how much of the DLA payment do you spend on extra costs related to your disability and not costs that you would normally incur?
  • Indie_Kid
    Indie_Kid Posts: 23,097 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    andyandflo wrote: »
    Well if you are not on a means tested benefit, your income is a lot more than those that are!

    Not really. I still hve to pay for extra water whether I'm on benefits or not.
    Incidentally how much of the DLA payment do you spend on extra costs related to your disability and not costs that you would normally incur?

    It varies.
    Sealed pot challenge #232. Gold stars from Sue-UU - :staradmin :staradmin £75.29 banked
    50p saver #40 £20 banked
    Virtual sealed pot #178 £80.25
  • andyandflo
    andyandflo Posts: 791 Forumite
    sh1305 wrote: »
    Only for those on income based benefits. They still have to pay for he water, you know!



    Not everyone can get this. I can't.

    I am on means tested benefits, and have many disabilities. I can't digest ordinary food, so have to have special milk based food. I am Type 1 diabetic. I have no Pancreas, I have permanent Thrombosis of the two major veins, I have varicose veins in my stomach which bleed regulary, I am depressed, anxious and still have PTSD from 1995, after I shot and killed someone in self defence. I don't claim DLA, because doing so is admitting to myself that there is no future. I and my wife manage, we don't go out, no holidays, don't drink or smoke etc.

    If people started to look at life in a positive way with positive thoughts, they would feel a whole lot better.
  • janninew
    janninew Posts: 3,781 Forumite
    andyandflo wrote: »
    Just what was needed - a sensible woman's point of view. As a mere male, I couldn't have put it any clearer - Thanks. Yes, it is totally wrong, if they are able to save the money, then it is totally clear that it is not needed. The benefit is a payment to help towards the extra costs associated with the disability.

    It does seem that there is a strong theme in that the DLA payment is put with other monies to help pay bills etc. In your case, education!

    The lady is question though isn't doing anything wrong or illegal though! That's the problem, I feel its immoral though - just my opinion. My brother has been living with diabetes for nearly a month now, and don't get me wrong, its a horrible condition to have. But there isn't anyway him having diabetes has cost an extra 240.00 (which is what my mum would have gotten so far for him if she claimed DLA) His medication is free, his diet hasn't changed dramatically, he still eats what the rest of the family has at mealtimes. My family were amazed that they could receive such a large sum of money which clearly in this situation is not needed. The money could never make up for him having this condition.
    :heart2: Newborn Thread Member :heart2:

    'Children reinvent the world for you.' - Susan Sarandan
  • Indie_Kid
    Indie_Kid Posts: 23,097 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    andyandflo wrote: »
    I don't claim DLA, because doing so is admitting to myself that there is no future.

    How does it? DLA enables many people (including myself) to pay for the things we need.
    Sealed pot challenge #232. Gold stars from Sue-UU - :staradmin :staradmin £75.29 banked
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