Worried sick

miss_saxby

Is anyone else terrified about what was said yesterday regarding the disability benefit cuts? I'm on lwrca for my OCD but it very much sounds as though they are going to make it impossible to claim pip for mental health reasons alone. Requiring 4 points is absurd. I struggled to get onto pip in the first place they kept denying me and took two years & a tribunal before i got it. A few other things that concerned me:

-they say they are going to use the impossibly difficult pip assessment process to determine eligibility for disability . So basically if we can't pass pip assessment we can't get the UC health element either?

-they have made it pretty clear anyone on mental health disability won't be getting pip. Needing 4 points would be practically impossible, especially as there are NO questions relating to mental health on the pip assessment form

-they have mentioned NOTHING about changing the pip assessment form. Only that they will change Eligibility. If the form stays the same, all mental health claimants will be denied as there are no questions and therefore no points to gain for mental health disorders on the current form

-they keep going on about supporting people back into work, there was no mention of exactly what this is going to entail yesterday however it implies pressure and possible trips to the job center will become mandatory. However if someone is unable to work what is the point? They are literally wasting everyone's time because no one is going to take on a job if they can't work! I am going to have to refuse this as I am cleaning for 6-8 hours a day and literally won't have the time or energy for anything like this. So what happens if I refuse?

-its quite clear the whole point of this is cutting costs. They don't give a damn about the repercussions this will have on people who are already struggling with life. Expecting people who are already unable to pay all their bills to live on less has got to be a joke?

I'm suicidal at the thought of this and I'm sure many are feeling the same 😥💔

Holly_Scope

Hi @miss_saxby bless you, you're not alone with the worries of the recent announcement. Please know that this is just their initial proposal, and we're about to enter consultation allowing us an opportunity to respond which this community is very much ready to do 💪

Please don't let this get the better of you. You have a community here for support. I'm going to pop you an email imminently, please keep an eye out for it. 💛

DonCamillo

I think Miss Saxby speaks for so many with mental health conditions. We support our adult daughter who after many years was

able to live independently. There will be a substantial number whose progress will be undone by this. Heaven knows it's so difficult to get professional mental health support from the NHS. Liz Kendall hasn't a clue of real world experience of mental health conditions unfortunately.

ElizaRose

I really sympathise with you and am terrified too. I have M.E but also crippling agorophobia, anxiety and ptsd. All of my problems are worse because of all this with panic attacks, ptsd attacks, worse pain and exhaustion, and an awful migraine which I haven't had for a while. Also, I am terrified for my eldest son who has autism and paranoid schizophrenia as they are targeting young people so much. All this stress and worry is already making his paranoia worse. Because of my agorophobia I will no way be able to meet anyone face to face so that makes me worried about being sanctioned and ending up with nothing.

Everyone is worried about the 4 point rule because most people get 2s and 3s spread out over all the questions to make up enough points for the award. If you go onto the "The Green Paper Discussion" which is in the "Announcements and Information" section there are loads of people on there discussing every aspect of the Green Paper. Nobody has any definite answers to anything as the details are all so vague but there are a lot of quite knowledgeable and supportive people on there.

Apparently, someone said that today Stephen Timms said they are going to change the whole PIP form which should be coming in at the end of next year (I think) and that there will be a question about severe anxiety. They can't just shut out mental illness because that would be discriminatory. This is just a snippet that someone found in a paper so it won't be the whole of the changes. I just wish they would be a bit more transparent so we all know what's what. It just really makes me angry how they go on and on about "mental health" as if it's nothing.

As for the going to work thing, like you, there is no way I will be able to, what ever they throw at me, so I really don't know how it will work as it won't be just us in that situation. It will just make me worse. I don't think this stupid government have an idea how some of us have to live and how hard it is even to get through the day sometimes.

Please do remember that all these changes aren't set in stone yet. There are lots of processes that have to happen before it can become law. Hopefully it will become at least watered down, if not stopped. There are lots of people on our side who will fight for us and challenge everything that has been put forward, lots of organisations, charities, even many Labour MPs deeply disagree with it. I think things are quite quiet at the moment because all the charities and organisations are dissecting the Green Paper but hopefully some challenges will start soon.

I know how hard it is but please take care. You do not deserve this and these vile politicians who clearly have no idea about anything do not deserve your pain. You are worth so much more. Please go on the "Green Paper Discussion". You will find a lot of support and solidarity there. Take Care x

LouCie61

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/131457/worried-sick

Big virtual hug coming your way (for what its worth).

This is making us all ill. I didnt sleep last night, I've felt sick all day and can't focus on anything.

They haven't got a clue what the impact will be. Do they they think we're all just suddenly going to get a job? It's just unbelievable.

I do understand how you feel. Let's just hope and pray it doesn't get through in its current state (or hopefully at all).

I know it's a silly thing to say but try to stay strong and we can all get strength from each other and keep our fingers crossed x

Lostandconfused

I'm also worried sick. I went and looked at the points I scored. I got 2 on 4 of the different sections within daily living but not the 4 I'd need in one section. Apparently, the proposal is that we would need 4 points on one aspect of daily living. I scored 10 points on Moving Around/Mobility.

I am a solo parent to a traumatised child. We both have PTSD due to domestic violence. My child has sensory processing difficulties also.

I have a long list of chronic physical health issues and have been ill/disabled since I was 10. I kept trying to work up until I had my child. From 2009 until 2018, the only way I could work was from my bed and by doing my own hours. I couldn't earn a full-time salary.

Even if I could work from my bed, I'd need to stay on benefits as I wouldn't earn enough money to come off them. I'd also need to pay for wrap around childcare, a cleaner, help to do the washing and would have to rely on even more ready meals etc. I don't see how I'd be able to financially afford this.

Just the thought of it is making me feel extremely vulnerable.

ElizaRose

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1002479#Comment_1002479

I really feel for you and I am so sorry for what you and your child have been through. I am suffering from ptsd too after escaping an incredibly emotionally abusive man. All this green paper stuff is making my anxiety a lot worse and I had an awful flashback/ptsd attack a couple of nights ago. I thought my ex was in the room with me which was terrifying. I know it is all linked to the stress as it just makes me feel so powerless again. My eldest who has autism and paranoid schizophrenia is currently in hospital and I am terrified about what all this will mean for him as they are targeting that age group. My youngest son who is now 21 also suffers from bad anxiety because of the abuse and is very nervous and jumpy. He is working through things slowly and luckily he is managing to hold down a part-time job so at least he will be free of any pressure for the time-being.

I have to spend a lot of time in bed because of my disabilities and my son helps with things, but there is no way I am going to be able to go to work or do face to face assessments etc. If they try and force me I will end up being sanctioned and then if they cut everything I will end up homeless. Life is so stressful as it is without all this.

We just have to live in hope that there is enough backlash and that things at least get watered down, especially that 4 point rule as that is going to be so damaging to so many people.

I really wish you and your little one well. Please take care x