PIP debate-live now

CTcelt1988

dori2o wrote: »

Congratulations on making yourself look a complete idiot.

That wasn't what CTcelt1988 was getting at.

For some people travelling other than in their own car is not possible. This means that transport costs are higher for them than those people who have the choice whether to use their cars, or use public transport.

I certianly don't use my car to travel to work because I want to, given the choice I would choose to use public transport everytime, not only because of the fact it is quicker to use the tram than it is to use the car (althouh it takes much longer on the bus), or because it is more environmentally friendly to use public transport, but the biggest factor in choosing to use public transport would be the cost.

The bus is nearly 3 times cheaper for me, the tram is just less than 50% cheaper.

I use the car because I can't use public transport for various reasons, I use some of the money I get from DLA to cover that cost (I have my own car).

If I am not awarded PIP or only awarded the lower rate, then that has a knock on effect on my travel to/from work as I simply cannot afford the extra costs, but travelling on public transport would have serious effects on my condition, potentialy substantially increasing the amount of time I am absent from work.

So, what options do i have.

Nobody is saying that should be a factor is getting the enhanced rate of PIP, but it does pose a problem in that removing the benefit would have an effect on an individuals ability to get to and from work. Therefore what is available to offset that.

This point was raised by the Chair of the Comittee that discussed the change from DLA to PIP last week. As the chair put it, forcing people out of jobs due to a lack of ability to get there would not be a good reflection on the Government.

The Minister herself (Esther McVey) commenetd that in that situation Access to Work would be there to pick up that extra cost (the difference between public transport and the costs involved in driving).

Or, do you feel it is right that people should be forced out of a job because they can no longer afford to get there, either because of their costs or due to having a car taken away from them?

Nicely put. That's what I was saying, if you suddently get your car taken away through no fault of your own, then getting to work is going to be difficult. That's why Access to Work will have to help disabled people with their travel to work costs if they lose their Motability car, as it will be too short a time to organise another car. Buying the car of Motability is a option, depending on the price of the car.

I also made the point that the Troll failed to recognise, was that it will cost the Government more money paying my travel costs if I lose my Motability car, then it would be for keeping me on enhanced rate. Seems a bit stupid to me, but then again this is the Government we are talking about.

satarical

CTcelt1988 wrote: »

Nicely put. That's what I was saying, if you suddently get your car taken away through no fault of your own, then getting to work is going to be difficult.

The car would be taken back because you would not be entitled to the enhanced rate any longer as your disabilities would be deemed to be less.
It's noboby's fault - you would simply fail to qualify.

That's why Access to Work will have to help disabled people with their travel to work costs if they lose their Motability car, as it will be too short a time to organise another car. Buying the car of Motability is a option, depending on the price of the car.

I agree ATW would assist, but there would be a limitation on what they would assist with.
I just don't see the problem. It is as simple as asking your bank for a bank loan to buy the car and making the repayments out of your income. That way you would be able to get to work and would have no need to ask for financial help from ATW.

I also made the point that the Troll failed to recognise, was that it will cost the Government more money paying my travel costs if I lose my Motability car, then it would be for keeping me on enhanced rate. Seems a bit stupid to me, but then again this is the Government we are talking about.

As I have already said, keeping the car for the reasons you state do not feature in the PIP draft legislation.

You appear to be objecting to the PIP transfer. Yes it would be lovely if the government allowed everyong to stay on the higher rate under PIP if you already had HRM. But where is the sense in that? Where are the £2.6bn of savings going to come from?

GlasweJen

Re. access to work,

When I first applied I was being taken to work by my mum, I have never been medically fit to drive. I was awarded taxi support and my contribution was quite high as I was expected to pay a mileage figure rather than the cost of public transport.

I changed employer and was assessed on the mileage figure again even though I never had a lift to this work place, it was only during my renewal last feb that my contribution was decreased as they realised that I can't drive.

If you can drive the contribution is higher even though you're not driving your own car, they only let you pay the public transport rate if you're medically unfit to drive AND you have not previously had an arrangement to be driven to work ( example car pool, being taken by parents/spouse).

The public transport contribution is by the most reasonable route and doesn't account for your concession card discount. I pay the full cost of an SPT 4 zone card even though I could buy a first 4 weekly card cheaper (and don't pay for buses anyway). This is because access to work decided that I wouldn't hang around the bus depot waiting on another first bus for 30 minutes when I could wait 5 minutes and get a stagecoach.

I imagine if you're driving now you'll be paying the mileage fee if you need to revert to access to work.

dori2o

satarical wrote: »

You appear to be objecting to the PIP transfer. Yes it would be lovely if the government allowed everyong to stay on the higher rate under PIP if you already had HRM. But where is the sense in that? Where are the £2.6bn of savings going to come from?

What savings?

dori2o

GlasweJen wrote: »

Re. access to work,

When I first applied I was being taken to work by my mum, I have never been medically fit to drive. I was awarded taxi support and my contribution was quite high as I was expected to pay a mileage figure rather than the cost of public transport.

I changed employer and was assessed on the mileage figure again even though I never had a lift to this work place, it was only during my renewal last feb that my contribution was decreased as they realised that I can't drive.

If you can drive the contribution is higher even though you're not driving your own car, they only let you pay the public transport rate if you're medically unfit to drive AND you have not previously had an arrangement to be driven to work ( example car pool, being taken by parents/spouse).

The public transport contribution is by the most reasonable route and doesn't account for your concession card discount. I pay the full cost of an SPT 4 zone card even though I could buy a first 4 weekly card cheaper (and don't pay for buses anyway). This is because access to work decided that I wouldn't hang around the bus depot waiting on another first bus for 30 minutes when I could wait 5 minutes and get a stagecoach.

I imagine if you're driving now you'll be paying the mileage fee if you need to revert to access to work.

Very informative post, Thank You.

How did they calculate the mileage figure?

I can drive, just. I have my own car not a Motability one.

As I explained, the bus pass for me would be about £65 for use on all buses a month (even though the only buses from manchester to where I live are First buses). My fuel costs are about £170 a month. Thats a difference of £105 a month.

If I wasn't afforded an award somewhere close to that then I would have to give up work. No 2 ways about it.

GlasweJen

I can't remember the cost charged per mile but I used to contribute 300 per month for a 38 mile round journey 5 times a week.

ETA the route length was determined by the taxi company iirc, I never had to submit calculations for that - just three quotes from local taxi businesses and a letter from my GP saying I couldn't safely use public transport or walk to work, I already had a DVLA letter saying I was not medically fit to drive that I produced as well.

CTcelt1988

satarical wrote: »

You appear to be objecting to the PIP transfer. Yes it would be lovely if the government allowed everyong to stay on the higher rate under PIP if you already had HRM. But where is the sense in that? Where are the £2.6bn of savings going to come from?

You think it is that easy to get a bank loan? You do realise that banks are no longer giving away loans wily nily any more? You don't know my financial circumstances, so don't assume that I can afford to take out a loan. If i wanted to buy my current car of Motability in 2 years time, it would cost between £11,800-£12,000. That may be to exoensive.

I'm still paying of a existing loan which doesn't get paid off till November 2015, so I don't know if I can get another loan anyway.

Of course I object to PIP happening, what do you expect me to be? Dancing to the tunes of music?

CTcelt1988

GlasweJen wrote: »

Re. access to work,

When I first applied I was being taken to work by my mum, I have never been medically fit to drive. I was awarded taxi support and my contribution was quite high as I was expected to pay a mileage figure rather than the cost of public transport.

I changed employer and was assessed on the mileage figure again even though I never had a lift to this work place, it was only during my renewal last feb that my contribution was decreased as they realised that I can't drive.

If you can drive the contribution is higher even though you're not driving your own car, they only let you pay the public transport rate if you're medically unfit to drive AND you have not previously had an arrangement to be driven to work ( example car pool, being taken by parents/spouse).

The public transport contribution is by the most reasonable route and doesn't account for your concession card discount. I pay the full cost of an SPT 4 zone card even though I could buy a first 4 weekly card cheaper (and don't pay for buses anyway). This is because access to work decided that I wouldn't hang around the bus depot waiting on another first bus for 30 minutes when I could wait 5 minutes and get a stagecoach.

I imagine if you're driving now you'll be paying the mileage fee if you need to revert to access to work.

Thanks for the info. One question, did you have to pay out the money first, then claim it back from Access to Work? I used to use Access to Work before I passed my driving test in 2004. I had to pay the taxi money first then keep the receipts and claim the money back. At first it was difficult as I was drawing out £40 a week, didn't get first payment from A2W till about 6 weeks. Just want to know have they changed it since I last used them.

GlasweJen

With my account they agreed that I can set up an account with the taxi company so every 4 weeks I get 2 invoices from the taxi company, one for my contribution and one for access to works contribution. I send the access to work one away to them along with a form that access to work provided and they deposit their contribution into the taxi company account without going through me.

I don't keep receipts as my taxi co and access to work have a fixed rate agreement so no matter where I've travelled that month they get X per return journey of which I pay Y and A2W pay Z. On the form there is a box where I declare all of the dates that I worked in the 4 week period and how many of these days I used the taxi company, this is countersigned by our head office to ensure I'm not fraudulently claiming. There is a yearly review and they randomly call my work and the taxi company to check that I am still employed where I say I am and that there are no arrears on my taxi account.

One of my friends doesn't have a specified taxi company or an agreed journey amount and she needs to pay for taxis and submit receipts. We both go through the Glasgow office but her taxi journeys are much shorter than mine and she doesn't need the taxi for every shift - she just uses taxis on the days she isn't taking her guide dog to work.

sunnyone

Are you still having nothing but bother with ATW jen?

And what happend with regards to your employment issues?