Dla to be replaced by pip

oldestrocker

DanE2010 wrote: »

And FYI "sponging off the hard working" seriously how much do you know about DLA?! You know it isnt means tested and is not an unemployment benefit! I get it and I work, if it wasnt for DLA I wouldnt be able to work! seriously some people are plain simple!

Maybe you wouldn't - maybe you would!

Only your conscience knows that - and provable with regular, tighter DLA assessments.

oldestrocker

sh1305 wrote: »

This is a ridiculous idea:
I went to get my eyes tested this morning and was expecting to be told that my problems are down to tiredness. I ended up spending £169 on glasses. Without DLA, I wouldn't have been able to pay them for them, plus the cycling gloves I need.
That's the minimum that I pay for my glasses every 12 months. I have had a sight disability since birth, but that doesn't mean to say that I am entitled to DLA!
I like most of us, pay for our glasses out of available income. If the money is there OK, if not they will have to wait until the next month. I know I will need to spend that much at least every year so I budget.
It just seems to me that for every illness or disability people have, they automatically think - 'ahhh I wonder if there is a benefit to cover that?'
I take control of my life and certainly don't go looking to screw the government for every penny I can. I have some pride left.

I also have unpredictable conditions. I've spent the best part of a week with (sorry for TMI!) diarrhoea. How on earth is that something I could predict?
Likewise, I suffer from that too. It is a side effect to the medication that I have to take. Damn embarrassing, but it's life and I'm still here. By the way what is the extra cost to you for diarrhoea? I just make sure that I have plenty of toilet tissue and Johnson's Baby Wipes around - all bought out of income - or is there another benefit that covers that as well?

And how can I predict when my depression is going to get bad again? I can't.
Likewise I have that too. However in my case I just up the quantity of medication - Lithium & Amitrptyline - then go to bed!

For goodness sake, it seems that we are a society of disabled people who are looking for the next available benefit that we can get hold of.

Until you take control of your life, you will always remain a victim.

magicstrawberry

I'm really sick of this ...

The increase in the amount of ppl that feel that they can pass judgement on ppl "oh there condition isn't that bad" or "there walking today so why cant they work" is starting to drive me spare!

Ppl c the worse cases on the news & the media of ppl that claim benefit fraudulently. Ppl use to be sensible enough to understand that this is the media they will put up the story's that r going to sell those papers, get abit of hate going around. Two that spring to mind is a girl that said her dad is a lazy scrounger and has everything including a 50inc plasma tv and the other saying she pays for boob jobs on her benefit.

I'd love to know what benefit this was!

The media don't want to know about the girl who came out of care, got through her education and then got crippled by her disabilty and even though its happened is still trying to get somewhere.

Cos reality is alot different. The saying " before you pass judgement walk a day in my shoes" springs to mind. I don't see why I should justify myself to any body and I encourage other genuine disabled ppl to do the same. The only person I need to justify myself to is me and the DWP. The ppl that are claiming fraudulently will get found out in the end.

Also in my case why should I be made to feel like something of someones shoe because I have a hereditary condition that I have absolute no control over and everything I do have control over I've improved and its still enough?

Also ppl that blatantly come out and basically say disabled ppl should have the 'basics' given to them and that's it. In mind the only reason for this is ppl who are fortunate to be healthy and working want to be able to look down on the disabled. Plain and simple.

Oldestrocker - you seem have very double standard's in your esa post you clearly state "As such I was also going to ask that I should not be retested again, but if that wasn't possible, then no tests for at least 3 years min."

Your clearly trying to tell the DWP what they should do, they don't work like that if they feel like you need to be assessed you need to be and if not you could lose your benefit. But then your saying ppl should be tested more on DLA seems abit double standard.

Also if you didn't have your private pensions would you claim DLA?

In my opinion yes there are fraudulent claimants and everyone should be found out. My worry is the government is more interested in getting as many off as possible regardless of the consequence.

By all means test but make it fair.

DanE2010

oldestrocker wrote: »

And if need be, I am sure that I could come up with another dozen or so cases that I have come across in my travels over the past few months if you are interested.

So in your opinion you know some people "in your opinion" are claiming fraudulently yet you dont have any real evidence of your sweeping statements, your so inconsistent with your argument its a joke! I actually think you come on here to just wind people up cause you enjoy it and you've got nothing better to do with your time like telling someone thanks your paying for my pension! seriously im not even gonna waste my time entertaining you any longer.

Indie_Kid

oldestrocker wrote: »

That's the minimum that I pay for my glasses every 12 months. I have had a sight disability since birth, but that doesn't mean to say that I am entitled to DLA!

I need glasses every 8-12 months. Thankfully, I do get my tests free; but it's still a lot of money when you're only living on minimum wage. I assume that your sight disability also means needing coloured paper and everything in large print. too? (although I did manage to read standard size print yesterday :j) That's where it becomes expensive. Oh, and I went when Specsavers (as I try to do) had their offers on. Yet, my lenses cost me a lot of money. I also need sunglasses & tinted lenses too - I have severe light sensitivity due to my optic nerve being damaged. I also am getting prisms because they help me focus btter - they need to be thinned down.

Because of my eye condition, my balance is affected, I have no depth perception and I am colour blind.

By the way what is the extra cost to you for diarrhoea?

Wet wipes, (I do try to get them when Boots are doing their offers) hand gel / wash, (can't use soap) nappy sacks, extra water and immodium if I've not had a chance to get some from my GP. (from my GP, it's free) I also suffer constipation. I am on a restricted diet - a loaf of wheat free bread is at least £2.

"oh there condition isn't that bad"

I've had this. Someone on here once said "oh, your eyes wobble. Doesn't that only affect your confidence?" Er, no it doesn't. It's the reason why my neck muscles are so screwed.

Also in my case why should I be made to feel like something of someones shoe because I have a hereditary condition that I have absolute no control over and everything I do have control over I've improved and its still enough?

Same here. it's not my fault I have a genetic condition that means my optic nerve isn't formed properly / damaged.

Likewise I have that too. However in my case I just up the quantity of medication - Lithium & Amitrptyline - then go to bed!

Don't you also mix morphine and alcohol? And drive when you shouldn't do? I am not on medication - I react to every medication I get given. The last one I reacted to, I had to be taken off because I was feeling so sick. And then was the bruises and the rash.

And if need be, I am sure that I could come up with another dozen or so cases that I have come across in my travels over the past few months if you are interested.

You sound like one of these who is of the opinion "can't see it, therefore it doesn't exist". I've had a few people say that to me. Well, if my problems didn't exist, why could my optician look into my eyes yesterday and see the optic nerve damage? Why could I only read a few lines?

Why haven't you reported these people? or is it because you have no proof and only think they're claiming when they shouldn't be?

oldestrocker

DanE2010 wrote: »

So in your opinion you know some people "in your opinion" are claiming fraudulently yet you dont have any real evidence of your sweeping statements, your so inconsistent with your argument its a joke! I actually think you come on here to just wind people up cause you enjoy it and you've got nothing better to do with your time like telling someone thanks your paying for my pension! seriously im not even gonna waste my time entertaining you any longer.

I'm sorry if the truth hurts. None of the cases I have identified are 'in my opinion'. They are factual cases, I actually know what is happening. Evidence - of course I have evidence. Could even have it recorded on tape if that would satisfy you. All of them are either supposed to be unable to walk, have constant care needs etc. Rather funny really considering that some are family members and we openly talk over dinner at our home.

I do not get 'a kick' out of winding people up as you put it.
Plus I do have a full life and am certainly not bored!
And when someone is sarcastic with me, they get back the same.
Of the 8 cases I have shown, 6 are claiming DLA fraudalently. That is 75%. A much larger number than the figure people on this site talk about - 5% or less!!!

Another way of looking at it, is to ask the Benefit Advisors in CAB/Welfare Rights how many cases they see that they know are claiming DLA illegally, yet have to help claim the benefit as it is their brief to do so.

Put it this way. With ESA the government expected around 25% to be found to be claiming the benefit illegally. How do you equate the actual number found to be approaching 70%?

At a rough guess, I would think that on that basis, at least 50% minimum will be taken off DLA after the new tests and benefit rules come in to play. Time will tell!!!
In the meantime I am waiting eagerly to see what the results are for the pilot schemes of moving people from IB to ESA!

p00

I KNOW my neighbour is genuine by the 2010 huge motor home he has, the 1k cycles they have on the back of the motorhome, the way he does paving and gardening at home, the business he runs selling tobacco and fags, the wheelchair he puts in the boot when he goes for an assessment. So obviously for the last 20 years he been entitled not to work and get high rate mobility, dla and carers allowance.:rotfl:

oldestrocker

magicstrawberry wrote: »

I'm really sick of this ...

The increase in the amount of ppl that feel that they can pass judgement on ppl "oh there condition isn't that bad" or "there walking today so why cant they work" is starting to drive me spare!
I only go by the figures that speak for themselves. The failure rate of ESA claimants for one.

Ppl c the worse cases on the news & the media of ppl that claim benefit fraudulently. Ppl use to be sensible enough to understand that this is the media they will put up the story's that r going to sell those papers, get abit of hate going around. Two that spring to mind is a girl that said her dad is a lazy scrounger and has everything including a 50inc plasma tv and the other saying she pays for boob jobs on her benefit.

I'd love to know what benefit this was!
If the facts aren't there for the media to report on - then I would agree. However the media choose to show cases, it is still the case that these stories are true!
What Benefits?
As an example: my daughter came home yesterday with my new grand daughter. In a bag she had leaflets given to her to read. Some were very informative - feeding etc. There was one that explained in great detail everything that a family/single mother could claim for. Even right down to travelling expenses paid up front to visit the baby in hospital. Then there is the money given to feed visitors in the restaurant if the mum is on benefits.
You would not believe what a child would give you in benefits! I was shocked! Multiply that by say 4 children and then even I can understand how people get those levels of benefit! It's disgusting!!

The media don't want to know about the girl who came out of care, got through her education and then got crippled by her disabilty and even though its happened is still trying to get somewhere.

Cos reality is alot different. The saying " before you pass judgement walk a day in my shoes" springs to mind. I don't see why I should justify myself to any body and I encourage other genuine disabled ppl to do the same. The only person I need to justify myself to is me and the DWP. The ppl that are claiming fraudulently will get found out in the end.

Also in my case why should I be made to feel like something of someones shoe because I have a hereditary condition that I have absolute no control over and everything I do have control over I've improved and its still enough?

Also ppl that blatantly come out and basically say disabled ppl should have the 'basics' given to them and that's it. In mind the only reason for this is ppl who are fortunate to be healthy and working want to be able to look down on the disabled. Plain and simple.
Not at all. What gets up people's noses, including mine, is the level of benefits paid out that is able to buy expensive household items.
I look at it that I can only afford to buy the basic things, why then should someone on benefits be able to buy the more expensive version?

Oldestrocker - you seem have very double standard's in your esa post you clearly state "As such I was also going to ask that I should not be retested again, but if that wasn't possible, then no tests for at least 3 years min."

Your clearly trying to tell the DWP what they should do, they don't work like that if they feel like you need to be assessed you need to be and if not you could lose your benefit. But then your saying ppl should be tested more on DLA seems abit double standard.
I'll try and put it as simply as I can. The Tribunal can and does over ride the ATOS/DWP decision as to when somebody should be re-tested. This is based on independent medical evidence. If the evidence shows that re-testing is not needed for say 3 years, the Tribunal will instruct the DWP to do that and not three months that the DWP decided before hand.
As regards DLA, at the moment very few claimants actually are tested by ATOS. The DWP rely generally on a GP's report. The DLA decision can last for years without any more testing taking place. What I consider appropriate is more regular testing depending on the medical evidence supplied. Too many claimants never tell the DWP/DLA when they have an improvement in their health and carry on getting the benefit. However they are quick enough to tell them if they get any worse!! Too much is placed on the claimant to be honest enough to say that they don't need the level of DLA they are getting.
In addition, a GP's report is open to abuse. It is a well known fact that GP's can be swayed by the patient when deciding what to include in the report.

Also if you didn't have your private pensions would you claim DLA?
No I wouldn't. DLA is not a top up of income! It is money given to provide for needs. However, this should change. It should be for needs THAT ARE NOT ALREADY BEING PROVIDED FOR. Too many people, and I know many, that see DLA as another bit of money coming in to up the pot each month to live on.
DLA should only be paid out for the most serious of cases, provable by evidence, tested regulary like ESA, and maybe quantified by Social Services.
I'm not in that league, so why would I apply for an increase in DLA? Errr maybe cos I want a holiday this year - maybe a cruise!

In my opinion yes there are fraudulent claimants and everyone should be found out. My worry is the government is more interested in getting as many off as possible regardless of the consequence.

By all means test but make it fair.

Yes I agree with that comment. Firm and fair with regular checkups to ensure that the right amount is being paid.
ATOS are in an ideal position to give that advice to the DWP as they have that specialised knowledge.
You can always appeal if you think them wrong!

oldestrocker

Whatever they do in their lives has nothing to do with me. But it does show that in my example the figure of fraudalent claims for DLA could be as high as 75% - not 5%.

Maybe the same could be said of those that work in the black economy - they have no morals - how many of those do you know of?
How many have worked for cash and not paid tax or NI?

GlasweJen

Probably wouldn't be so bitter if I didn't get the priviledge (and yes I mean that genuinely) of working with real drug addicts who are really trying to kick their addictions and take controlled drugs (i.e. methadone or suboxone) to control cravings for heroin or codeine. I think it's an insult to people like that to advocate mixing CDs and alcohol and then getting into a car because apparently their car is a necessity, public transport isn't sufficient for oldest rocker.

Now I come to that point from Oldestrocker advocated driving while taking alcohol and morphine products as one of his earlier aliases, he "died" of an overdose at his keyboard and has come back to haunt us all with his putrid views on disability and people getting help to live life (hence the name disability living allowance). It's ok for him to claim ESA and DLA but not for anyone else to claim DLA because we're all frauds.

Well I for one wont have any of his snash and I don't see why anyone else would.

Oh and oldestrocker it's quite apparent what's wrong with me and both of my employers are well aware of my needs, that's why they sent me to an occupational therapist!