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Labour doubles down on slashing billions from DWP's disability benefits bill

MyHappy256

Not to be a worrywart, but this was posted in Big issue 16-1-25

https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/dwp-disability-benefits-bill-high-court-ruling/

and now there is a new link on Facebook Disability something facebook page, lost the link, but it says this has been confirmed to go ahead despite a court ruling?

It refers to reforming work capability rules, presumably ESA working or support now UC and savings from new claimants?

I just wanted to know if anyone has any more information about this, when they are referring to new claimants, is that for existing people being moved from legacy benefits onto UC or is it for brand new claimants not yet on benefits?

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MyHappy256

CAB told me last year, that when they switch me to UC, I would lost £400 per month, now this article refers to losing £400 per month, am wondering whether ths is the same thing or something else?

Dave1993

just have to wait and find out

Jimm_Alumni

Hey @MyHappy256, I am afraid I am not 100% sure if they are discussing the same £400 a month. I will take a quick look around for some more information though, there is just so much in the air at the moment as very little has been set in stone yet.

judie

FeistyPigeon

Disability Rights has this Mr Happy:

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/half-million-disabled-people-set-lose-out-when-dwp-scraps-%E2%80%98work-capability-assessment-test

Looks like Labour's intention, which the Tories planned to do, is to limit the extra limited capability of work benefit element to those who also claim PIP. McGovern made a vague statement yesterday to limit extra sickness benefits to "those who really need it". By the sound of it, this is what they're thinking of. It'll screw thousands of us, as they've made it so hard to qualify for PIP now.

There's just one silver lining you can read in my ref:

the DWP maintain that existing claimants will receive transitional protection, this is by its nature temporary and will inevitably reduce. If the reforms are introduced, new claimants will feel their effects immediately.

So in other words, they'll keep our elements going while slamming anyone new who has the misfortune to end up on universal credit. But of course I bet this won't last for ever, they give medical assessments every year or so, so when our time comes… my suspicion is they'll treat us under the new rules and cut our benefits too.

If you're disabled you're disabled, for heaven's sake. We haven't got the health to work and yet they'll be slashing our benefits. I hate this "Labour" lot - Tories in new clothes + expensive freebie glasses

TG0601

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/128863/labour-doubles-down-on-slashing-billions-from-dwps-disability-benefits-bill

It states it would affect new applicants.

“The proposals would cut around £400 a month from the disability benefits of hundreds of thousands of new applicants by 2029”

shadows22

oh stop this nonsense, no one knows what they intend to do,you’re scaring a lot of people with your nonsense.

mac99

that disability rights article was from october 2023.

MyHappy256

Thank you to those of you who posted helpful comments.

I am just wondering if when we are required to transition from legacy benefits to UC if it means it is a new claim or an existing claim, since it is new to UC but existing as a legacy benefit?

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/977133#Comment_977133

Having just read that link myself, yes it's from 2023. Taken from that link…

The plans, that were outlined in the March 2023 Health and Disability White Paper, will not be introduced until after the next general election.

Labour have not yet confirm what they plan on doing. I must admit that all of these comments do not help anyone.

Kimi87

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/977136#Comment_977136

Treated as a new claim to UC.

As I've said repeatedly elsewhere as nothing official will be released until the Spring, the best thing anyone can do is stop reading these articles.

Everything between now and then will only be speculation, opinion, probably inaccurate or as keeps happening, previous Conservative plans.

judie

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/977124#Comment_977124

Whatever you said - I agree 😄

You work very hard to keep people calm and allay their fears

judie

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/977246#Comment_977246

I don't know who he's talking about, I just know he's a good bloke. And I'm still bitter about having my 'Trump is delusional ' comment removed by admin. so I'm full of righteous indignation, especially after what he said yesterday about diversity and disabled people. Now that's a person who deserves denigrating!

Community_Scope

Hello everyone,

We want this discussion to continue, but we’re concerned that things are becoming quite tense and could easily escalate.

People are right to voice their concerns, it can also be right to point out if you consider those concerns to be based on speculation or incorrect information. In both cases however you should remain civil and supportive as per the community house rules.

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FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/977077#Comment_977077

Wise words Nightcity, thank you xx

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/977136#Comment_977136

Mr Happy, I was forced from ESA onto universal credit a few years back. What they did was carry on my disability element onto universal credit. If you are applying new, ie not from a legacy benefit, they don't pay it, even if you're just as disabled. But I think in your case, you should continue getting the addition. But I would double-check before any move. Also if you're going to / have to move to UC, might be wise to do it as soon as pos, before the new regulations come to force. But check you'll be ok first. If there's any doubt, I'd stick with the legacy benefit as long as you can, they are on your back far more with UC, phone calls etc to check up on you.

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/977133#Comment_977133

Yes, that's right Mac, but bet they're still working to the same plan. Reeves said in her October speech that they were implementing in full the Tory plans they had inherited. The DWP plans were finalised 2023 and the plan was to implement them after the election, 2024. So I'm most likely right these are the plans Reeves was referring to.

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/977259#Comment_977259

You're right about Trump Judie…

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/977136#Comment_977136

I'm not sure Kimmy is right about transitioning from legacy benefits to UC Mr Happy. I transitioned a few years back and the disability element I had under the legacy benefit was transferred with me. But I'd check with the DWP, in case Kimmy is right…

Kimi87

All applications for UC count as new claims. This is why everyone has an ID check etc. Whether the person is new to benefits, or transferring from legacy benefits.

That doesn't stop entitlement to Transitional Protection if someone qualifies when moving onto UC from legacy benefits.

As far as Labour go, they've commented that they are committed to the welfare cost savings they inherited from the Tories. And that they have their own intentions on how to make those savings.