Benefit fraud

Lanzarote1938

Jim_Cooke wrote: »

Problem is they don't have the money to pay towards the rent, or a cheaper place to move to.
The solution to the housing crisis is very simple. Build more houses - even if it involves slaying a few sacred cows like part of the Green Belt.
But how can we expect the Government to solve the housing crisis when they are making so much money out of it.

I think the 'sacred cow' of anyone having a house/flat to themselves for those who don't pay for their housing is something to be considered.

Once upon a time we lived in what we could afford, if we couldn't afford a whole house/flat then we had to rent part of a house. For those who can't pay their own housing costs then there should be a flat rate of benefit, just for arguments sake say £500 a month maximum. Then up to the the person/family to find somewhere to live for that.

teddysmum

fredandwilma wrote: »

There is some help available for over 65's not already in receipt of the mobility component of PIP (pre age 65,) they may still be able to claim Attendance Allowance if they become ill after they are 65. Although it's not specifically for mobility, the result is the same, i.e. help with care as a result of limited mobility etc.

I am aware of AA, but the descriptors don't cover difficulty getting about outside and do seem harder to meet than DLA and PIP ones.


For instance the latter consider difficulty with preparing food, but AA only includes difficulty eating it and specifically mentions that the help is not based on inability to cook, clean etc.


This makes me think that if you are capable of feeding yourself, but would have difficulty actually preparing the meal (lifting pans, opening cans,dropping knives and plates etc ) you get no credit towards the award.

Lanzarote1938

teddysmum wrote: »

I am aware of AA, but the descriptors don't cover difficulty getting about outside and do seem harder to meet than DLA and PIP ones.


For instance the latter consider difficulty with preparing food, but AA only includes difficulty eating it and specifically mentions that the help is not based on inability to cook, clean etc.


This makes me think that if you are capable of feeding yourself, but would have difficulty actually preparing the meal (lifting pans, opening cans,dropping knives and plates etc ) you get no credit towards the award.

It appears that once you reach the magic 65 you no longer need to leave the house. I do understand that some mobility issues post 65 are due to ageing but in many cases it is due to illness.

I'm not going to suggest that mobility payments are discontinued at 65 because I will have nannytone on my case but I still think it is unfair.

teddysmum

Lanzarote1938 wrote: »

It appears that once you reach the magic 65 you no longer need to leave the house. I do understand that some mobility issues post 65 are due to ageing but in many cases it is due to illness.

I'm not going to suggest that mobility payments are discontinued at 65 because I will have nannytone on my case but I still think it is unfair.

We have discussed this before and I mentioned a case where a lady lost her leg just post 65, was wheelchair bound and dependant on a husband who also had health issues. Their car was worn out and they could not afford to replace it, so would soon effectively be housebound, but no help for the sin of being over 65.

missbiggles1

fredandwilma wrote: »

There is some help available for over 65's not already in receipt of the mobility component of PIP (pre age 65,) they may still be able to claim Attendance Allowance if they become ill after they are 65. Although it's not specifically for mobility, the result is the same, i.e. help with care as a result of limited mobility etc.


http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/claiming-benefits/attendance-allowance/eligibility/

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/claiming-benefits/attendance-allowance/what-is-attendance-allowance/

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/overview

Sorry, you're wrong on this - AA has nothing to do with mobility, it's totally to do with care and nothing else.

humbert

Please don't worry - you will not receive a prison sentence. The amount would have to be over 20k for that to even be a consideration. You will, however, have to pay the money back and you will probably also receive a one-off fine of £50 which is called a Civil Penalty. You will also be able to agree an acceptable method of re-paying the money - either all at once or in installments.

fredandwilma

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Sorry, you're wrong on this - AA has nothing to do with mobility, it's totally to do with care and nothing else.

Maybe i wasn't clear enough in my post, but the original point i was replying to stated over 65's wouldn't be entitled to help with mobility but you can still apply for Attendance Allowance under these rules, (if, of course, you meet the criteria) :

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/documents/en-gb/factsheets/fs34_attendance_allowance_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true

Section 3.2.1 (page 6)

Daytime Disability Conditions

Walking is a bodily function so needs arising from your mobility problems, both indoors and outdoors, can be considered; for example, if you need help getting in and out of a car, using public transport, or require somebody to help you get out and use a walking frame or wheelchair or store them after use.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/before-you-claim-attendance-allowance/what-is-attendance-allowance/

How you can spend your Attendance Allowance

You can spend your Attendance Allowance however you like - it's up to you. Lots of people spend it on something that makes life a bit easier, for example:

paying for taxis

helping towards bills

paying for a cleaner or gardener

Examples of how people spend their money

Betty is 79 and has arthritis in her knee and hip and also has a heart condition. She says: “I use some of my Attendance Allowance to visit my friend, Nancy, who lives a few miles away. I used to get 2 buses and it took an hour and exhausted me but my Attendance Allowance means I can get a taxi there in 10 minutes. I also get a taxi to go to appointments, like the doctor or a consultant, or even the hairdresser. I still have enough money to pay for a cleaner once a week. It’s made a huge difference to my life.”

What is most important is to describe the effect it has on your everyday life.

NeilCr

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Sorry, you're wrong on this - AA has nothing to do with mobility, it's totally to do with care and nothing else.

Indeed

Over the years I have seen a lot of clients over 65 who were thinking about claiming AA but decided not to when the criteria was explained to them. They were living alone and more than capable of looking after themselves - but getting about outdoors was a totally different thing

It's almost as though someone, somewhere, sometime decided that folks over 65 had no need to leave their property

dktreesea

So if someone is unfortunate enough to become disabled while of working age, am I right in thinking their disability payments will continue into their retirement, including their right to substitute the mobility part of their payments for a motability car, but if someone first becomes disabled after turning 65, they don't qualify for any disability payments, beyond the possibility of claiming attendance allowance if they have care, rather than mobility problems, and even then they may not get this because the criteria is harder to satisfy?


This doesn't seem equitable to me. The only thing I could think of is as a reason is that the retired person is guaranteed the state pension (via the minimum income guarantee if they haven't made enough contributions), of £155.60 a week. But even then it doesn't make sense as anyone receiving PiP would also get this and the PiP income would be disregarded.


Does anyone know the policy/government reason why people who have mobility issues and are already retired don't qualify for the mobility part of PiP, even though those who had those problems prior to retirement would continue to receive that part of PiP?

NeilCr

dktreesea wrote: »

So if someone is unfortunate enough to become disabled while of working age, am I right in thinking their disability payments will continue into their retirement, including their right to substitute the mobility part of their payments for a motability car, but if someone first becomes disabled after turning 65, they don't qualify for any disability payments, beyond the possibility of claiming attendance allowance if they have care, rather than mobility problems, and even then they may not get this because the criteria is harder to satisfy?


This doesn't seem equitable to me. The only thing I could think of is as a reason is that the retired person is guaranteed the state pension (via the minimum income guarantee if they haven't made enough contributions), of £155.60 a week. But even then it doesn't make sense as anyone receiving PiP would also get this and the PiP income would be disregarded.


Does anyone know the policy/government reason why people who have mobility issues and are already retired don't qualify for the mobility part of PiP, even though those who had those problems prior to retirement would continue to receive that part of PiP?

Yes. You are right. It's not a new thing, though. It was/is the same with DLA

Here is an FOI request with an "explanation". Not that I agree with it

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/278138/response/682659/attach/html/2/FoI%202844.pdf.html