The Autumn Statement 2023

Hannah_Alumni

Good morning, Community!

Today is the day of the Autumn Statement.

We have been having many discussions over possible changes to the welfare benefits in this thread; Welfare benefits news, possible changes & constructive ‘discussion - an ongoing thread.

We know it has been daunting and upsetting for lots of you. But today we will know for sure what their plan is. So, we wanted a thread to put everything in after the statement has been made.

This is going to be a place for you to discuss the announcement, vent and for us, as well as members, to support each other. Because we are a community  

We know emotions will be high today, opinions will be diverse. But please remember the community house rules and community guidelines. Let's make sure we're supporting each other.

I want to finish this first post with a list of mental health resources. For those who feel they'd like to talk to someone; Mind, Hub of Hope, IAPT and SHOUT. 

Sammy19_19

so so angry worried can't even go down round bout catheter bypassing Crohn's flare up and he saying work or lose everything I sometimes think what point keep fight, being punished for disabled. cost of living gone up and wheelchair complete broke 

LilyNichole081108

I know. It is absolutely terrifying.

woodbine

Most of whats been said hasn't been announced yet, some of the "proposals" will never see the light of day or fall be the waste side as we run unto to the looming election.
My sincere advice is don't worry until there is something real to worry about and sleep tight.

Sammy19_19

LilyNichole081108 said:

I know. It is absolutely terrifying.

Wherever disabled go have to bed for help and explain most time we have door shut on us, I about to just give in

Albus_Scope

I understand everyone's worries about the announcement.  We have made a post here where people can all chat about it.  Fingers crossed for us all. 

Hannah_Alumni

I have merged the threads together  

Remina

Trying to be brave and not get too upset I'm just so worried about it, it's hard enough to simply just exist in my body on a daily basis, it's so difficult to cope as it is, nevermind being forced to work on top of that, I wish they'd just be humane and let us focus squarely on our treatment(s) / coping with our sickness/disability.

Albus_Scope

You got this @Remina !  It's very worrying, but we are all here to support each other, whatever is said today.
  It sounds like the press have been focusing on a worst case scenario, I very much doubt the government will be forcing every claimant into finding work.  

Hannah_Alumni

We are here @remina  

I agree with you. I made myself so ill, so many times, to work. And having to work multiple jobs so I had the hours to earn enough for all the medications and items needed to manage my disability. Just need to give people the time to come to terms with their disability and time for their treatments. 

charl1980

I'm getting into a right state just worried, not for me as I do work part time but for my partner how can a man that cannot stand , sit , socially engage and is incontinent most days and in constant pain work, and cannot even answer a telephone at times, plus has attempted suicide in the past , how the hell can he work , it's a joke a absolute joke , I have got myself in a absolute mess, I had to go and see my GP yesterday, and have had to seek mental health support, 
How does one get long term support worker support coz at the minute I feel like I'm drowning 

charl1980

Note, I'm not a risk to myself or others ❤️

Remina

Thank you @Albus_Scope and @Hannah_Scope  

Hannah_Alumni

@charl1980 I am so glad to hear you have gone to your GP for support. If you do feel you need to speak to someone whilst waiting for that support. SHOUT are a 24/7 texting service that are there to help  

bg844

6.7% increase in benefits from April confirmed & increasing the LHA too.

apple85

With all the ‘giveaways’ I’m wondering if perhaps we are getting an election first half of 2024 after all……………seems a bit early to be doing all this if an election is over 13 months away

i think it’s also designed so the media will focus on the ‘goodies’ and ignore the possible small print and less positive things once the full printed version of this statement gets published

that’s my take away so far

apple85

I think my positivity from last night may of been premature…….waiting to read things in details and the footnotes

Meg24

The Guardian & Independant reporting that the new maximum length of benefit is 18 months without having to find work, then you get put on notice to find work and in 6 months you lose benefits. Are they serious? Are there any exceptions? There have to be some and who will they be? Are they going to backdate this? I have been in the support group for 14 yrs! So do I get kicked off now?! They can't allow this surely, they are talking about literally starving people, throwing us on the streets to die. They are beyond all evil. 

Meg24

No sorry just re-read that, it's worse. After 18 months of 'help' there is mandatory work experience, *then they close your benefits. I thought they were only clamping down on people found fit for work but this reads like they are scrapping sick notes and giving us all 18 months and done. Please can someone tell us what the hell.

Wibbles

They have not said anything specifically about disability benefits yet as far as I am aware !!

apart from a 6.7% rise

Benefits to stop for those refusing to seek work

Hunt follows through with a clampdown on benefits.

He says that if, after seeking a job for 18 months, a claimant has still not found employment they will have to take part in a mandatory work placement "to increase their skills and improve their employability".

And if they "choose not to engage with the work search process for six months, we will close their case and stop their benefits", he says.

THIS DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTION THE DISABLED

poppy123456

Meg24 said:

The Guardian & Independant reporting that the new maximum length of benefit is 18 months without having to find work, then you get put on notice to find work and in 6 months you lose benefits. Are they serious? Are there any exceptions? There have to be some and who will they be? Are they going to backdate this? I have been in the support group for 14 yrs! So do I get kicked off now?! They can't allow this surely, they are talking about literally starving people, throwing us on the streets to die. They are beyond all evil. 

Thats not what I heard him say as it won’t to apply to everyone. Those that have either LCW (WRAG) or LCWRA (Support Group) are not expected to look for work anyway.