DLA and MOTABILITy over 65

Oldernotwiser

Marisco wrote: »

What is the point in including over 65's??? It's obvious that the older you get, the more creaky you get!! Unfortunately, old age brings more than just wrinkles!!;) And pensioners cannot work anyway, I thought (correct me if I've got it wrong) that these medicals were to ascertain whether someone is fit to work or not.

Sorry, you're wrong. DLA isn't an out of work benefit and many people who work receive it.

harry7075

Lots of jealously regarding DLA, as this thread clearly shows. The Unelected Coalition Government and indeed the tabloids and TV shows like BBC's Saint and Sinners have constantly stirred up the hornets nest regarding the situation. Now everyone who claims it are branded a benefits cheat.
Bitter pensioners don't help either.

parsons

harry7075 wrote: »

Lots of jealously regarding DLA, as this thread clearly shows. The Unelected Coalition Government and indeed the tabloids and TV shows like BBC's Saint and Sinners have constantly stirred up the hornets nest regarding the situation. Now everyone who claims it are branded a benefits cheat.
Bitter pensioners don't help either.

Unfortunately that is the way it is now. The ones to blame are those that jumped on the bandwagon who have a 'part time disability' that seems to come and go with the wind, depending on which way you look at it.

How many times I have seen claimants doing strenuous things in and around the home, (up ladders painting holding on with one hand, playing football with the children, wheeling a full wheelbarrow for over 400yds .....) yet they are either in a wheel chair or use crutches/stick when out in public?

Do you really blame the public?

As for bitter pensioners, my wife and I are pensioners, but bitter we are not.
I have said many times that despite being probably entitled to DLA and AA for the wife, neither of us claim it. The main reason is because of the comments and looks you get. Plus, the never ending forms to fill in and medicals to go through. Always feeling big brother is watching.
No, I keep well away from that. The least contact I have with the DWP the better!

krisskross

harry7075 wrote: »

Lots of jealously regarding DLA, as this thread clearly shows. The Unelected Coalition Government and indeed the tabloids and TV shows like BBC's Saint and Sinners have constantly stirred up the hornets nest regarding the situation. Now everyone who claims it are branded a benefits cheat.
Bitter pensioners don't help either.

Whether you like it or not there ARE a lot of people getting DLA who probably won't get it after a medical. Should cheats not be exposed?

I don't think I am particularly bitter about the situation, just happy that the government are going to address what I see as an injustice. They had 2 choices......either give mobilility payments to everyone who meets the level of disability criteria under or over 65 OR stop it for everyone over 65. They have, not unexpectedly given that they are committed to reducing the welfare bill, opted for the cheaper option.

Oldernotwiser

krisskross wrote: »

Whether you like it or not there ARE a lot of people getting DLA who probably won't get it after a medical. Should cheats not be exposed?

I don't think I am particularly bitter about the situation, just happy that the government are going to address what I see as an injustice. They had 2 choices......either give mobilility payments to everyone who meets the level of disability criteria under or over 65 OR stop it for everyone over 65. They have, not unexpectedly given that they are committed to reducing the welfare bill, opted for the cheaper option.

Thinking about it, there could have been another option which would have been to make AA available for either mobility or care or a combination of the two. It would be more expensive than at present but less so than having two elements for it, as there is for DLA.

Marisco

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Sorry, you're wrong. DLA isn't an out of work benefit and many people who work receive it.

Thanks ONW. I thought the medicals were to weed out those who are capable of working. So what are the medicals for then? Is it to weed out those who don't need it? If so, then I cannot see what the problem is?? I'm a (recent) pensioner, but very far from bitter:) TBH I don't think anyone over 65 should get "sick" benefit, as the older you get it's obvious that your going to "break down". It's just "wear and tear", and to give people money for that would cost a fortune!!!! I'd much rather the money was used to create work for young people.

parsons

One thing not mentioned is that at 60 you get a free bus pass. Surely that would compensate for the loss of a car on mobility?
You are still able to get out and about. OK it may not be as convenient, but when you get to 65, you do have a lot more time on your hands. Catching a bus would then not be such a bad thing.

DanE2010

parsons wrote: »

Unfortunately that is the way it is now. The ones to blame are those that jumped on the bandwagon who have a 'part time disability' that seems to come and go with the wind, depending on which way you look at it.

How many times I have seen claimants doing strenuous things in and around the home, (up ladders painting holding on with one hand, playing football with the children, wheeling a full wheelbarrow for over 400yds .....) yet they are either in a wheel chair or use crutches/stick when out in public?

Do you really blame the public?

As for bitter pensioners, my wife and I are pensioners, but bitter we are not.
I have said many times that despite being probably entitled to DLA and AA for the wife, neither of us claim it. The main reason is because of the comments and looks you get. Plus, the never ending forms to fill in and medicals to go through. Always feeling big brother is watching.
No, I keep well away from that. The least contact I have with the DWP the better!

I thought you said your wife got turned down for AA? They told you to put a comode in the living room didnt they? Is it still in the kitchen? *rolls eyes*

parsons

DanE2010 wrote: »

I thought you said your wife got turned down for AA? They told you to put a comode in the living room didnt they? Is it still in the kitchen? *rolls eyes*

Yes as I have posted elsewhere, she failed at the Tribunal to get Attendance Allowance in early 2010. She was told to claim it by her GP much against my advice. Yes they told her that to solve her problem of not being able to get to the toilet upstairs quick enough and possible soil herself, she should have a comode downstairs.
I never said anything about the kitchen, what they said was a room downstairs, possibly the lounge.

Why are you being so sarcastic?

sunnyone

parsons wrote: »

One thing not mentioned is that at 60 you get a free bus pass. Surely that would compensate for the loss of a car on mobility?
You are still able to get out and about. OK it may not be as convenient, but when you get to 65, you do have a lot more time on your hands. Catching a bus would then not be such a bad thing.

Buses arnt wheelchair friendly and they dont have to be until 2017 and even then the Dept. of Transport will do as they do now and ignore the legislation and/or just not run and let people know the miserable crips are to blame for complaining.

Mant rural places only have a few buses a day and they are very infrequent which makes it impossible to plan excursions.