Dla to be replaced by pip

krisskross

Doom_and_Gloom wrote: »

I'm still waiting on an answer on how people would prove how they spend the money on caring needs if someone they know does the care instead of a hired worker!
How would they prove the costs?
How would they prove the hours if not hired?
What would class as care?
Will it only be classed as care if the person is helping with medication, cooking, feeding, moving the person, taking them out etc?
Will care include keeping them company because they don't go out as much?
It's not so clear cut.

I wasn't suggesting receipts etc but surely anyone who lives alone but is paid for care required day and night but has no one providing any of it cannot really need it.

My husband has extensive care needs and receives AA, however I provide all his care. That he gets the care is the important thing, he couldn't manage without it.

Oldernotwiser

Doom_and_Gloom wrote: »

What about people who have a partner, family member or simular looking after them? I get the care component of DLA and my partner is my main carer. I get MRC and that doesn't quite pay for 8 hours at the same pay my partner gets at work yet he looks after me more than 8 hours each week. I think my partner more than does enough considering he also works but how would we prove what care he provides me? He's not a worker that I pay to come in and help me is he after all so how would we prove it? I give him an allowence for the help - not all the care component but he understands that it is impossible to do so not the he expected to get an allowence for it as it is.

Surely the most ridiculous aspect of DLA/AA is that you're specifically told on the notes that go with the application form that you can receive the benefit if you have care needs, even if you don't actually receive any care?

Doom_and_Gloom

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Surely the most ridiculous aspect of DLA/AA is that you're specifically told on the notes that go with the application form that you can receive the benefit if you have care needs, even if you don't actually receive any care?

Care comes in many forms. You can buy things/adapt things so you don't need the care in the form of a person. When they say don't receive care I take it to mean another person. Gadgets/adaptations can be in the place of a person but will need to be bought/maintained/replaced.
Dressing aids to replace a person helping to dress them.
A phone with a flashing light to signify someone ringing and has an amplifier for hard of hearing people.
A hearing/seeing dog - not a person you are reciving care from after all but has costs.
Kettle tippers aid people so they don't need a person to help them.
A microwave that has a voice for blind people.
Mugs with warning sounds when near full.
There are many ways a person can get care without someone physically looking after them.

GlasweJen

When I finally manage to move out (if I ever get a decent job) I plan on:
*having the fall alarm with my mum and my friend as emergency contacts
*buying a keysafe to go with the fall alarm so emergency services can get it
*using wiltshire farms for my warm food needs
*having a kettle on a cradle
*CCTV door alarm

I'll still need supervised in the bath/shower but if I can find a gadget to help then I'll get that too. I don't want to rely on other people to tail around after me, I deserve some independance at 24 surely?

Indie_Kid

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Surely the most ridiculous aspect of DLA/AA is that you're specifically told on the notes that go with the application form that you can receive the benefit if you have care needs, even if you don't actually receive any care?

The help has to be reasonable. I always put on my forms that I need help with reading and responding to mail. Yet, don't receive mail every day. I need help with cooking a meal - yet, my parents cook for me. I don't have a shower every day because I don't have the spoons or time to - yet, I would always need help if I did.

There are many pieces of equipment that people need that aren't covered by DLA. For example, I now use a mobility cane. I get pain in my hands if I use the cane for too long. (I have limited movement in my arms, neck & shoulders and there is an issue with pressure, I think) If I use cycling gloves, my hands aren't as sore. Yet, I don't think cycling gloves are classed as mobility needs. I pay £34 for 20 swimming sessions because physio never worked for me. I'm sure swimming doesn't come under a medical or care need.

I need extra water and wheat free food - neither of these are covered by DLA.

I'll still need supervised in the bath/shower but if I can find a gadget to help then I'll get that too. I don't want to rely on other people to tail around after me, I deserve some independance at 24 surely?

There are necklaces you can buy which have an emergency button on them. Is that the sort of thing you need?

And I love the idea of proving that your JSA is going towards job seeking, that CB is going to your childs direct costs (since from the tone of this thread us crips aren't allowed to use our DLA to pay for normal costs) etc. How up in arms would all the normal folk be if their fags money had to be spent on their kids?

Exactly. it's not unusual for me to use my care money for mobility needs or mobility money for care needs. It would work out far more expensive to get everyone to submit receipts too.

And what about those of us who have to save up for things?

GlasweJen

sh1305 wrote: »

There are necklaces you can buy which have an emergency button on them. Is that the sort of thing you need?

No I lose conciousness without warning so I'd need something that could alert someone to me falling in the shower (can't find a water submersible fall alarm) or something that could monitor my heart rate in the bath and get me some help before I fell under the water.

pipkin71

GlasweJen wrote: »

I've never had a medical for DLA but I am aware that the DWP have contacted 2 of my consultants and my GP in the past, the last time I renewed they also asked the occupational therapist at work for a report.

Same here, GlasweJen.

I haven't had a medical for DLA, but they have, at some point, contacted my consultant, and that, along with the medical evidence, satisfied them enough to make the award.

oldestrocker

To be honest this review has been long overdue. DLA has become a National scandal as viewed by the majority of the British people.
It has been abused and used for far too long as an 'extra top up' of income as well as a key to open other doors!

I am sure that nearly everyone knows or knows of someone that is claiming this benefit illegally. Be it that the claim was exagerated or it was genuine in time gone by but is still being claimed despite an improvement in health that has not been notified.

And before you say that I don't know what I am talking about - I do, I suffer from a progressive disease myself.

This is going to be the first audit of every claimant to ensure that those who are claiming it are genuinely entitled to it.
It should be tightened, the conditions should be made more difficult, AND it should be re-tested every 12 months. One simple way of getting rid of the 'bogus' claims.

Like ESA, it was expected to show approx 25% of false claims - in fact that figure went up to close on 75%.
They expect DLA also to be approx 25%, but who knows - it wouldn't surprise me to find that the failure rate will also hit 70%+.

You know who to blame for this review - not the government - but the ones that have made a laughing stock out of this benefit!!

I welcome the changes and for once we will see some honesty creeping into the benefit system as we are seeing happening to ESA!!!!

oldestrocker

hrafndot wrote: »

I think you have missed the point.

What people are trying to point out is the distress suffered by people WHILE they are filling in the form because they realise the importance of getting it right and fear the consequence of getting is wrong.

I would never advocate doing it yourself on your own without experienced guidance.

You will beg to differ.

It's very difficult to gauge the levels of distress other people are going through.
Thank heavens for neighbourhood advice centres and the CAB, long may they continue.

It's quite simple really - just be truthful and honest in your answers!
Write it as it is. There is no need to ask for 'professional form fillers' - there are no magic words or phrases - just the truth!

oldestrocker

sh1305 wrote: »

I already get checked upon by my GP when I need more medication or it stops working and both my consultants. They know far more about my disabilities than what DWP do.



Exactly. I've struggled to get it. The DMs arguments consisting of "your aids should help" - if they did, I wouldn't be partially sighted & "you've had it since birth" - I haven't and having it from a young age doesn't make it any easier. I am still disabled and have care and mobility needs, despite having problems since I was a baby.

My wife applied for AA and failed. I was annoyed at first but soon so the sense and realised that the decision was fair. For example:
1. Help with Moving. She finds it difficult - answer given - buy a wheelchair!
2. Finds it difficult getting up during the day to do upstairs to the toilet - answer given - get a commode in the living room!

Yes they are right, a powered wheelchair is the answer - I will buy one for her. A commode - never thought of that, yes put it in the kitchen for her - much easier to get to.

Those were some of the answers and yes I think they got it right.