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Government Plans

wendy1

What will this Government come up with next, planning to give PIP receivers vouchers instead of cash. So everywhere you use cash, like if you have Direct Debits these Companies will need to accept vouchers.

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Comments

THE_DUDE

£200 pound milk voucher lol

wendy1

I think it's a total disgrace, what about people that needs special foods. They should just put a gun to our heads

brian1971

PIP Question.

Am I right in saying that the implementation of the green paper depends on the Conservatives winning the next election? I believe the next election will be around November of this year.

Without PIP my life will be ruined as I can barely manage a few feet without my elbow crutches.

Vouchers will be of no use to me.

KG100

Labour lately have been talking about getting more disabled people into work, I just hope they aren't going to be just as bad as the tories.
I do think labour will win though, so hopefully things will calm down a bit after the election.

wendy1

Hi KG100,
Where did you see or hear about Labour getting more disabled people into work, I hope too their not going to be as bad as the Tories.
I'm one that cannot work due my illness, but if that's what happens there's nothing we can do about it.

KG100

I read about it in several newspapers online, one was on inews, Labour said they'll target job centres and benefits assessments to give disabled people more support into work.
They don't mention vouchers or anything like that though.

wendy1

Hi KG100,
Thanks for replying. No matter who is in power, they will always target the disabled. I would like to see the Government live the way we have to, they would never survive.

Jimm_Alumni

I will say, the last consultation from the DWP was on the WCA, and only some of the original proposals were moved forward with. So it is possible to make a change with consultation responses.

Jimm_Alumni

Danny123 said:

Jimm_Scope said:

I will say, the last consultation from the DWP was on the WCA, and only some of the original proposals were moved forward with. So it is possible to make a change with consultation responses.

Are you saying that they maybe able to push these through before the next election?

That is highly unlikely with this latest consultation about PIP and sick notes. Even the WCA consultation changes are not due to be fully implemented until late 2024/early 2025, and they are relatively minor changes when compared to what they are suggesting to do with PIP.

Jimm_Alumni

Danny123 said:

Sorry I find it very hard to read due to my OCD , what are the wca changes ?

There are some changes to the WCA that are supposed to come into effect around early 2025 most likely. Given how quick the DWP works anyway, it could be even later. They changed some of it's criteria.

- Removing 'Mobilising' activity criteria
- Reducing points awarded for 'Getting About' criteria
- Amending the 'Substantial Risk' regulation: This change has not been fully detailed out, however they want to make it only apply in specific circumstances unlike it's current more broad application which takes each persons situation into account each assessment. The government said they will 'work with clinicians to determine the specific criteria where Substantial Risk can apply and what medical evidence is needed for it'

Their reason for removing 'Mobilising' and lowering the points for 'Getting About' is due to more work from home opportunities.

But work from home doesn't suit everyone, and the government are also actively trying to end work from home in many places such as the Civil Service.

wendy1

Hi folks,
I've had a look at the proposed Green Paper and was intending to fill it in as best as I could but I'm sorry I just don't understand it, so I don't know what to say.

Rosie_Scope

Hi @wendy1, Please don't feel bad if you can't manage it. There will be others who can't manage the form for a whole host of reasons, but I'm sure plenty of organisations and individual people will be filling it in to make sure there's a good mix of responses

wendy1

Hi Rosie, thank for your understanding and helpful words. I just want to do as much as I can to help myself and disabled people.

wendy1

Am I seeing things or have I read a post wrong, the Government now are thinking about not paying PIP to people with Mental Health problems. What is this world coming to.

Ironside1990

I know. The way the Tories treat disabled people in this country is disgusting!

It's only in the consulting stage right now. The DWP says payments will go in accounts as normal.

The fact that the Tories have lost the local elections, offers a glimmer of hope. It's shameful thar the Tories are demonising disabled people as a vote grabber, but the fact that they have bombed the local elections, means that people have finally had enough!

Disabled people need to be treated with dignity and respect. Hopefully the Tories will be gone soon.

All we have are rumours and speculation.

wendy1

Yes, hopefully the Tories will be gone and the new Government will treat disabled people with respect

wendy1

What the hell, what is going to happen next. I've seen a post about ESA stopping and claimants having to apply for UC, if they don't apply for UC your payments will stop altogether. I'm in the understanding that if you came UC, your saying your fit to work. I'm one that's not able to work.

poppy123456

wendy1 said:

What the hell, what is going to happen next. I've seen a post about ESA stopping and claimants having to apply for UC, if they don't apply for UC your payments will stop altogether. I'm in the understanding that if you came UC, your saying your fit to work. I'm one that's not able to work.

This is part of managed migration to UC for those claiming means tested benefits. Those that are claiming either New style ESA or the old contributions based will not be migrated across, unless they are claiming either housing benefit or Tax credits as well.

The Government did previously announce that managed migration for those claiming Income Related ESA wouldn't happen until at least 2028. They've now changed their minds and decided it will start from September 2024, with plans for it to be completed by Dec 2025.

When you receive your letter inviting you to apply you will be given 3 months. You must claim by the date in the letter, if you don't then any Income Related ESA you're claiming will end.

You're understanding that by claiming UC you're saying you're fit for work is incorrect. UC is for those that work as well as for those that are carers and those unable to work because of a health condition.

If you're in the Support Group for ESA you will be entitled to the LCWRA element of UC from the start of your claim. LCWRA is the same as Support Group and you will not be expected to look for work or attend any appointments, with the exception of when you first claim.

For those that do not have the SDP included in their ESA would highly likely be better off by claiming UC anyway because LCWRA pays more than ESA Support Group.

For those with SDP included in their ESA (like myself) won't be worse off to start with because Transitional Protection will be in place to make sure we are not worse off when we claim. However, TP erodes over time. so if other elements increase or we become entitled to other elements, the TP will decrease until such a time is erodes completely. Therefore, we will eventually be worse off.

wendy1

So now everyone that claims UC will have to work 18 hrs, whether your in the Support Group. I don't know about anyone else but I'm scared and sick to my stomach about what's happening to disabled people. We don't want and wish we were not able to work

poppy123456

wendy1 said:

So now everyone that claims UC will have to work 18 hrs, whether your in the Support Group.

No, you are not correct here. The 18 hours is related to the AET. (Administrative Earnings Threshold) Which is increasing next week. Thid only applies to those in the all work related requirements group. Those that have LCW/LCWRA, carers that claim carers element and those with a child under the age of 3 are in that group so it doesn’t apply to them.