Do I tell DWP ?

rockingbilly

TheNickster wrote: »

For a disabled person on a limited income the opportunity of being a loyal customer of a taxi firm is virtually non-existent. Especially a disabled person not getting either the standard or enhanced mobility component.

Are you suggesting that a disabled person not getting either the standard or enhanced mobility would automatically be on a low income? Or that they don't use taxis in any event?
Where I live the area is divided in two parts, one part social housing and the other part expensive ordinary 3/4 bed properties worth up to £500,000. It is common knowledge that families that live on benefits are more likely to use taxis than any other form of transportation. On a daily basis there is a constant stream of taxis that go round that part of the estate whereas where we live you would be lucky to see any taxis. Those that can't drive like myself for medical reasons use the local bus service instead. Maybe buses are not seen as being 'cool' enough for them.
I would point out just to avoid any misunderstandings, I receive DLA (HRM & MRC) but in view of the fact that my transfer to PIP has/is being handled in a poor way by all concerned including the DWP, we are currently living on our income as though the DLA was not in payment - just trying to get used to it not being there. We save the £110 a week instead and give it to our children for their children who are more deserving.

TheNickster

rockingbilly wrote: »

Not too sure what fate did.
But for someone who works and earns a reasonable salary or has private means of substantial value, should it not be the case that it should be taken into account when asking the government to hand over money? I quote the likes of Gordon Brown who, on behalf of his son, made a claim for DLA and was awarded it and we all know that financially he didn't need the money to cover the extra expenses. He just claimed it because he was entitled to do so.
You and others may consider that having the need to use a taxi whilst the able bodied could walk or living on a restricted income are good reasons to require a home assessment, I doubt very much that the DWP/assessors see your point of view in the same way.
The test is: how do you see your GP - at home or at the surgery, how do you attend the hospital or other medical appointments - do you get the consultant to pop round for a cup of tea and a 15min chat?

It was a philosophical point. If you have a disability through no fault of your own (can we leave aside obesity/sports injuries etc or this will go on for days) then why should financial wealth have anything to do with it. A wealthy disabled person still pays out more than an able-bodied person would if they have special needs or aids..

If the disabled are means testing because there is no other way of saving money then perhaps it would be justified - but as there are still many people evading or unjustifiably avoiding billions in taxes, then in my view, no. (has Philip Green settled the BHS pensions yet?)

My doctor makes home visits and a consultant visited my mother at her home although that was thirty years ago. How can the DWP decide whether an applicant is justified in requesting a home visit or not without the assessment? What comes first the chicken or the egg.

Anyway this is all pointless because applicants can do what they like and there is nothing a forum like this can do about it - simply because there is no way of knowing who anybody is.

Its all a waste of time and I have better things to do.

TheNickster

rockingbilly wrote: »

Are you suggesting that a disabled person not getting either the standard or enhanced mobility would automatically be on a low income? Or that they don't use taxis in any event?
Where I live the area is divided in two parts, one part social housing and the other part expensive ordinary 3/4 bed properties worth up to £500,000. It is common knowledge that families that live on benefits are more likely to use taxis than any other form of transportation. On a daily basis there is a constant stream of taxis that go round that part of the estate whereas where we live you would be lucky to see any taxis. Those that can't drive like myself for medical reasons use the local bus service instead. Maybe buses are not seen as being 'cool' enough for them.
I would point out just to avoid any misunderstandings, I receive DLA (HRM & MRC) but in view of the fact that my transfer to PIP has/is being handled in a poor way by all concerned including the DWP, we are currently living on our income as though the DLA was not in payment - just trying to get used to it not being there. We save the £110 a week instead and give it to our children for their children who are more deserving.

I apologise for being ambiguous.

Of course I did not mean that any disabled person not getting a mobility componant is automatically on a low income. I thought it was clear that I was referering to a limited income disabled person ie one who either cannot work al all or only works a few hours a week because of their disability and therefore being on a very low income they are unlikely to use a taxi very often - if at all.

In my area tenants in social housing have no reputation for using taxis all the time. Are you sure you haven't fallen victim to a highly political urban myth. I see in your previous post you criticise Gordon Brown claiming DLA on behalf of his son because he was entitled to - if you insist on being political then so did David Cameron on behalf of his son (who subsequently sadly died) and he is even wealthier - wealth partly gained from his father running tax avoidance schemes.

I hope your PIP is sorted quickly.

TheNickster

rockingbilly wrote: »

I receive DLA (HRM & MRC) but in view of the fact that my transfer to PIP has/is being handled in a poor way by all concerned including the DWP, we are currently living on our income as though the DLA was not in payment - just trying to get used to it not being there. We save the £110 a week instead and give it to our children for their children who are more deserving.

If the DWP grants PIP because of need then the fact that you are currently giving your DLA to benefit your grandchildren would be a reason not to grant you PIP. Will you be disclosing to the assessor/decision maker that that is what you do?

FBaby

Fbabys suggestion to get a taxi for 100m
was ridiculous, when no taxi would offer a journey for that short a distance.

Where did I mention 100m? Make it 1k. My DD orders a taxi when she babsit to get her home despite it being only 3 streets away because I won't have her walk in the dark and OH and I don't want to stay up until it is time to get home. She has never been turned down or had the driver complain. That's what they have a minimum charge, so yes, it cost per 100m than if she travelled 10k, but it is possible.

I'm not surprised that DWP are getting more and more fussy about agreeing to home visits when people are expecting them just because they are making assumptions that will not be able to park or not prepared to pay £5 for a taxi.

CTcelt1988

Most assessment centres aren't fit for purpose and are allocated to make it as difficult as possible for disabled people to attend.

50Twuncle

CTcelt1988 wrote: »

Most assessment centres aren't fit for purpose and are allocated to make it as difficult as possible for disabled people to attend.

As I have already said - my assessment centre does not even have wide enough doorways for wheelchairs - hence I have requested a home assessment !!

rockingbilly

TheNickster wrote: »

It was a philosophical point. If you have a disability through no fault of your own (can we leave aside obesity/sports injuries etc or this will go on for days) then why should financial wealth have anything to do with it. A wealthy disabled person still pays out more than an able-bodied person would if they have special needs or aids..

If the disabled are means testing because there is no other way of saving money then perhaps it would be justified - but as there are still many people evading or unjustifiably avoiding billions in taxes, then in my view, no. (has Philip Green settled the BHS pensions yet?)

My doctor makes home visits and a consultant visited my mother at her home although that was thirty years ago. How can the DWP decide whether an applicant is justified in requesting a home visit or not without the assessment? What comes first the chicken or the egg.

Anyway this is all pointless because applicants can do what they like and there is nothing a forum like this can do about it - simply because there is no way of knowing who anybody is.

Its all a waste of time and I have better things to do.

I was always under the impression that DLA and PIP are payments to go towards the extra costs that a disabled person faces?
I agree rich or poor the disabled do have those extra costs (well some do). But if those extra costs are such that they can easily dip into income or capital and not notice the loss, then why not exempt them by using a means tested system?

rockingbilly

TheNickster wrote: »

I apologise for being ambiguous.

Of course I did not mean that any disabled person not getting a mobility componant is automatically on a low income. I thought it was clear that I was referering to a limited income disabled person ie one who either cannot work al all or only works a few hours a week because of their disability and therefore being on a very low income they are unlikely to use a taxi very often - if at all.

In my area tenants in social housing have no reputation for using taxis all the time. Are you sure you haven't fallen victim to a highly political urban myth. I see in your previous post you criticise Gordon Brown claiming DLA on behalf of his son because he was entitled to - if you insist on being political then so did David Cameron on behalf of his son (who subsequently sadly died) and he is even wealthier - wealth partly gained from his father running tax avoidance schemes.

I hope your PIP is sorted quickly.

Thank you I now understand what you meant.
No, not a victim at all. It is quite common, a subject that many people around me mention from time to time. - how is it that they can afford a taxi to go shopping at ASDA for example. It really does stand out especially if you are always around the town.
It was not my intention to not bring up what Cameron did. He, as you say, also claimed DLA for his son. Of course I don't deny that they weren't entitled to the award, but to have the brass neck to actually put in a claim astounds me.
As for my PIP transition, I don't hold out much hope to be honest. I am one of those that come what may, I will always try to live a normal life even though the difficulties still exist. One thing I am extremely grateful for are the large amounts of pain killing medication that is available to me. Without that I would cease to exist. So to put my life in simple terms - what you see is not what you get. No doubt the ATOS assessor will not be able to see through to the real me when we meet - I am a victim of my own success in managing to live a life.

TheNickster

rockingbilly wrote: »

Thank you I now understand what you meant.
No, not a victim at all. It is quite common, a subject that many people around me mention from time to time. - how is it that they can afford a taxi to go shopping at ASDA for example. It really does stand out especially if you are always around the town.
It was not my intention to not bring up what Cameron did. He, as you say, also claimed DLA for his son. Of course I don't deny that they weren't entitled to the award, but to have the brass neck to actually put in a claim astounds me.
As for my PIP transition, I don't hold out much hope to be honest. I am one of those that come what may, I will always try to live a normal life even though the difficulties still exist. One thing I am extremely grateful for are the large amounts of pain killing medication that is available to me. Without that I would cease to exist. So to put my life in simple terms - what you see is not what you get. No doubt the ATOS assessor will not be able to see through to the real me when we meet - I am a victim of my own success in managing to live a life.

I have every sympathy for and empathise with you and your health and the difficulties you are having with the PIP application and assessors but I have difficulties with some of what you have written.

Heavy duty drugs can successfully relieve at least some pain but they often come with sometimes very significant side effects.

In my view, you are being judgemental on limited evidence on those families in social housing who go to ASDA by taxi. How do you know someone in a taxi lives in social housing? Neither do you know their circumstances. A supermarket shop for a family is likely to be large and difficult to carry so a taxi may be a sensible option. Not necessarily the best option - ordering online and getting it delivered would be better (and cheaper than a taxi). If they could order online and get it delivered then you might be justified in judging them stupid for not doing so but not necessarily dishonest as rumour mongers imply. (also this thread is about the disabled applying for PIP in particular not families on benefits in general). i repeat I see no evidence of taxis being used excessively (or much at all) by social housing families on benefits in my area).

So you appear to be questioning the honesty of some social housing tenants on limited evidence and criticising Gordon Brown and David Cameron for claiming DLA because they felt entitled rather than needing the money.

This may seem harsh but as you have have said in a previous post that you use (and feel entitled to use) your DLA to benefit not yourself but your grandchildren are you not being a touch hypocritical? Will you disclose to the DWP PIP decision maker/appeal adjudicators that you use your DLA for the benefit of your grandchildren or really put your money where your mouth is and withdraw the PIP application?