? New PIP and DLA benefits to start rolling out over next two years?

Green_garnet

My heart sinks at the prospect of another very stressful change - I am on what I thought was to be safe for some time an Adult Disability Living Allownce.  If anyone knows anything about it I'll be grateful to know what it is and how soon any changes to Adult DLA might happen.

Green_garnet

Spoonie_Turtle

Green_garnet said:

My heart sinks at the prospect of another very stressful change - I am on what I thought was to be safe for some time an Adult Disability Living Allownce.  If anyone knows anything about it I'll be grateful to know what it is and how soon any changes to Adult DLA might happen.

Green_garnet

Which country are you in?  Are you anywhere near pension age?  Have you been contacted specifically?  If we know the context for this worry then people can give you more specific help.

PIP has existed since 2013 and is intended to replace DLA, for adults at least.  It has different criteria so you will need to read up on it.  These are good pages:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-decisions-are-made/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/

In Scotland they are introducing their own benefit and I know nothing about it other than they won't require routine face-to-face assessments.

There is also Attendance Allowance for people over pension age but I believe people don't immediately have to claim that instead of DLA or PIP if they are claiming either of those when they reach pension age.  I don't really know anything about AA though.

Green_garnet

Thanks Spoonie_Turtle.  Sorry to have been so vague. I am in Scotland and, as over 65 (on DLA long term  - over 20 years - with an enduring health problems including depression) at the 'right/necessary' date was told that I would continue to recieve DLA.  This is why I was worried when I heard ? New PIP and DLA benefits to start rolling out over next two years?

Although I have not been contacted the prospect of another upheaval seems too much to cope with.

Green_garnet

Buzzard1985

https://www.mygov.scot/browse/benefits/social-security-scotland
https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/benefits
Call and ask or contact your MSP 0800 182 2222
https://www.writetothem.com/

poppy12345

If you were below state pension age on 8th April 2013 then you won't remain on DLA, under the existing rules you will at some point be invited to apply for PIP. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/if-you-get-dla/

However, there's a new disability benefit coming to Scotland from sometime in 2022, which is replacing PIP. What will happen regarding that is anyone's guess.

https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-security/benefits-disabled-people-ill-health/

Spoonie_Turtle

What I've read about the Scottish benefit so far (albeit not much, and I haven't yet read the links posted in this thread) it did sound like they were trying to design it to actually *benefit* disabled people, deliberately moving away from being the stressful and often farcical process DWP do every time.

Green_garnet

Thanks everyone for replying.

poppy12345:  I was already 65 before 08 April 2013 and thought I would stay on DLA and have stability and less insecurity. I have never been on PIP and my DLA has been continuous for over 20 years.  I would choose really good health over disability, always, but I have been told my 'condition' is enduring.  Thankfully not life threatening, but likely to be life long. My DLA is well used and keeps me afloat in a major way.

I have just looked at the link you gave and it looks as if:  "This form of assistance is provided to disabled individuals between the ages of 16 and state pension age."  I was really acutely unwell at the time but I remember being told that I was eligible to stay on DLA because I was already over State Pension Age.

Although I am grateful for the help I receive, I was so stressed with all the previous upheaval and hoped not to have to go through anything like that again.  I have periods when I am quite well but, when not well, I really am not able to cope well at all.

I'll keep checking here in case anyone has information in addition to the links here to see if there is any proposed change for older people like me, over pension age, who have never been transferred to PIP and who understood that they would be staying on DLA..

Green_garnet

poppy12345

Green_garnet said:

Thanks for replying.

poppy12345:  I was already 65 before 08 April 2013

The link i posted above regarding the Scotish disability benefits clearly states they are for those of working age only. As you are above state pension age then they don't apply to you so i can only assume that your DLA would continue as long as you remain entitled to it.

Green_garnet

That would be a relief, thanks poppy12345.  I hope it is a smooth process for people of working age and not as stressful as the last time when the change, for many people, was from DLA to PIP.  If there are other changes I expect news will come out before long.

I would prefer to be really well but, as long as I am eligible, (and I do put all of the DLA to good use) I am grateful to have it.

Green_garnet