My MP Response from Kim Leadbeater MP
Comments
-
Point taken. Sorry you have these health issues. Obviously I am quoting mostly what I have seen, been told or read. I agree there are disabilities that are hidden from sight. I am not targeting genuine disabled people within this thread. I hope my posts read that way. I shouldn't of mentioned the guy with anxiety in the disabled slot but that was mentioned in the guy's story. I genuinely think with the increases since lockdown, there is more to it behind the scenes and law of averages says so too. I did not post to upset people, I posted as I think all the issues faced now by disabled people has been brought on by the dishonest. I think it is more than what you think too, especially UC and that comes out of the overall money pot. I didn't think PIP could be fleeced, but I am not certain now, some did not got through the demeaning process I went through. A Nurse coming to my house after they had documentation off numerous consultants. I still think genuine disabled people have nothing to worry about, it is clear that something needs to be done as the benefit bill is more than the yearly budget for schools too.
2 -
They are definitely taking us backwards taking our rights bit by bit fraud bill with house of commons and I hope I'm wrong but I think they will take us put of the echr they want total control it's already happening
1 -
Will whoever who will be deciding who is genuine or not be fair though? Probably not.
1 -
No problem at all @Trevor_PIP I just feel we need to be sticking together instead of pointing fingers right now, or we'll just end up alienating people genuinely in need. It's much better to support rather than divide. ๐
As you've said, PIP is so so hard to get, even over the phone, so for people to be able to game the system, they must be Oscars worthy actors. ๐ So I'm always very suspicious when people say they know someone, who knows someone, who is claiming PIP but doesn't need to.
2 -
Just to add another perspective on how it is the disabled being targeted.
In the last financial year, the DWP spent c ยฃ28m on challenging PIP appeals at Tribunal and over the last decade, ยฃ350m on staff costs relating to appeals. c 68% of Mandatory Reconsiderations are overturned at appeal to Tribunal.
In 2013 it cost the DWP ยฃ257 to progress a claim to defend at Tribunal, in 2022 that had risen to ยฃ1,091.
However, appeals were slashed from 543,609 in 2013-2014 to 91,690 in 2021-2022 which was very good news for the DWP. (Figures from 'Benefits & Work). DWP don't meet that cost though - it is borne apparently by the Ministry of Justice and further, according to B&W, claimants were ground down and did not pursue claim to Tribunal (despite nearly 70% that did pursue claim, succeeded).
If 16,000 claimants would have been awarded Standard Rate for Daily Living for two years and do not appeal, the DWP are saving c ยฃ100m.
There is an irony that the DWP don't acknowledge. I appreciate it's only my experience but had I been awarded PIP at the time I applied I would have been able to continue working. The stress and trauma I experienced exacerbated many of my health problems. So in my case, I could have remained on the nursing register and practicing, albeit less hours but who knows how long my health could have been stabilised for and I could have continued to 'add value'; the amount I would have paid in tax would still have outweighed the PIP I receive.
An awful lot of avoidable harm has been caused to thousands of claimants, not just recently but from Cameron et als' austerity and their cuts to benefits as well as the current government fools' proposals.
2 -
I agree, pointing fingers was not a good idea, I did think that before started to post, but the increases in claims since lockdown is mindboggling. I was trying to reason the vast increase, that was all. I always thought as you have said, you'd have to be a very good clued up actor and have friends in the right places to fleece PIP too.
Cheers.
1 -
Actually those cabbies are rarely wrong, they pick up these people regularly and usually know what is going on as they are normally told by the person themselves. I know genuine disabled are on this forum and I do read what they go through, partly why I posted what I have because they deserves to be treated properly and reasons why they are not.
I don't think taxpayers resentment is directed at the disabled really, it's other issues with benefits.
Sorry you have long covid and point taken on the length of time to get your award. It is shocking, but I think it is caused by other reasons, some from the past and not you personally.
Thanks.
0 -
if you use Twitter, can you tweet using the hashtag #Disability#Disabilityrebellion and show everyone how you'd be affected by the cuts.
2 -
wrong thread. Sorry
1 -
You have hit nail on the head and I agree, it was Cameron that caused all those issues 2010 onwards. He went all out on disability as he was convinced it was the benefit most fleeced. You are correct, at review genuine disabled lost their benefits and had to appeal, which with that many appealing due to losing benefits, took more than a year to get their benefits back. More than 75% won their tribunals which is clear they should have not lost their benefits in the first place. I was one in 2018. Cameron was well over the top and felt a change when he left, more so when Boris came on the scene.
Point taken with your whole post maybe I'm wrong, I'd like to think I am not though....
Cheers.
2 -
Thanks Trevor; sadly, in my case, it was personal in the sense that my Assessor wrote many untruths in my assessment report which led to my mandatory reconsideration being denied too (even though I had strong evidence to the contrary). One example was 'she's able to stand in theatre for 12 hours'). It would be comedic if it didn't have such serious consequences. I'd not worked in theatres for c 10 years and my job had been changed to one booking patients in and discharging (sitting down); they weren't even misunderstandings which would be forgiveable.
So that's what led to an 18 month delay for me and I'm sure, very many others who not only need the support that PIP provides, but have strong evidence which is ignored. Some days I can barely even see (two diseases of eyes since Covid) so it's our lucky day today that I can, despite it taking forever to write anything ๐๐.
Anyway, I digress sorry. Who knows, maybe (likely) they're under instruction to play the long game knowing full well many will not appeal. Who knows how many disabled people suffer in silence with 'their lot', not having the wherewithal or support to go through an appeal and to Tribunal; that I find truly shameful.
I'm 'only' 62 and whilst I wouldn't have wanted my taxes for the past 43 years to go to people fraudulently claiming (which is apparently extremely low for PIP), I expect those in the jobs to prevent it/root it out to do so and do their jobs properly and stop their harmful shenanigans to the majority of us.
I don't doubt there should be changes but I don't believe that there should be a 'blanket' ceasing or reducing of certain benefits to the 18 to 22 year old group for instance, not at all.
It is not beyond the wit of all those, supposedly well-educated (government and DWP) people to propose sensible, rational policies as opposed to inhumane, cruel and ill-thought out plans - not even having the impact assessments to consider before bringing legislation.
Finally, Labour's cuts to the winter fuel payments shortly after election showed to me, not only their true colours but the fact they were so willing to barge in with a significant change with so obviously no thought or willingness as to how that could be implemented without affecting the poorest of pensioners.
I feel ashamed that I was a Labour party member but no more. I live and learn.
Take care Trevor, this is a really good site to be on, I've found it very supportive personally ๐.
1 -
Now I didn't know the statistics from that period and I'm sorry that you went through that; I can understand what that was like to some degree.
I recall reading on a reputable site (can't remember now which one ๐๐ฌ, maybe B&W) that there were something like 180,000 excess deaths from the period of austerity with Cameron/Osborne/?Clegg); my apologies if I've got the wrong figure but if I have I don't think I'm out by much, very sadly ๐.
I've just remembered that I was seriously ill in 2008 for 2 yrs I didn't work and received DLA. I then trained as a nurse qualifying in 2013 and then Covid got me 2020/lost my job in 2023 through ill health.
But my point is, the DLA people in 2010 said I will still definitely receive DLA, certainly to start with as I wasn't on placements for several months and wouldn't have expected to receive it then. They assessed me one week after starting training and stopped it in the second week.
I still needed support at that early stage and was only able to continue as I luckily received some, limited support, from the University. Then after the first year I was well enough and worked three part-time jobs, full time placements, studied extra modules for the degree and looked after my mum from 2015 to when she passed away in 2022 from two dementias and three different cancers.
I recall my sisters saying in 2010 don't stay (in nurse training) because of the support being pulled away from the DLA. I'm not sorry that I did stay, despite Covid, as I loved what I thought would be my forever career and it's what really helped me look after my lovely mum, and patients that I nursed especially during Covid, but it's definitely bittersweet. And I don't trust any government bodies to do the right thing, when I caught Covid the second time and was very unwell for five weeks I'd had no PPE. I'd found out later the boss had hidden the supplies to 'save' them for later....
I guess I'm just saying we all come to these discussions with our own experiences/good and bad. I'm neither bitter, and most definitely not sweet towards the government. But think I've laboured that point ๐ค๐.
Sorry I think I've realised I've hijacked the OP's thread, don't know how to cut and paste this to move elsewhere so I'll just leave it ! ๐
1 -
Sorry you went through all that to get your PIP. I never had it easy initially, two MR's and Tribunals but in the end a nice person from the DWP called me and said you have got your PIP back. When I got the letter it was a 10 year award, I didn't know then it was an "indefinite" award. I knew nothing about PIP and filled all the forms myself without help. This 10 year award was extended by two years to make it a 12 year award. Years to run yet. I have never been contacted by the DWP since. I feel a lot of members on this forum should get the same award too!
I'm sorry the assessor lied on your form, but I think they are paid to fail some. I know a person who had a relation that worked at or for the DWP, but that person left after about a year as she couldn't do the job any longer...
In my posts I have not made out the process is perfect, it is nowhere near that. Though I can't help thinking it is the dishonest of the past that have caused some of this and Cameron wanting people of disability...
I think I have read that staff is going to be increase to find the fraudsters, certain it is 1,000 new people. Though this is not PIP alone, more so UC.
I agree with everything else you have said. Yes, the winter heating allowance was a disgraceful move.
You take care too and don't be worrying, I'm glad you enjoy this forum.
1 -
Yes, Cameron went way over the top with it and it was disability he targeted. Disgusting what went on, it still annoys me thinking back!
You did very to become a nurse, you do need a degree now. Sorry what you went through though and your boss hiding the PPE... Shocking, hope you put a claim in?
Take care!
Sorry to OP I have gone off on a tangent with this thread.
1 -
Thanks for your reply @Trevor_PIP I am very pleased you have many years on your Award and are not mithered by the DWP. My Award was for 5 years, to Aug '27 so could be reviewed likely from Aug '26, and changes with LCWRA from Nov '28.
I thought I 'retire' in 2029 but made a mistake by a year and it's 2030 ha ha. Only I could do that ๐๐คฃ. Luckily, I had a good chat with myself a few weeks ago and determined what will be will be but I'm not spending the next 2 or 3 years worrying about it, as 5 of my diagnoses (that keep me housebound and often ill) look like they can't be fixed, I'll know next week when my consultant rings me.
I hope you have a relaxing and restful evening, what's left of it. I thought Question Time was on but it isn't, probably just as well ๐ค ๐ ๐ . Goodnight and sleep well ๐ด.
2 -
Thanks, and I hope you get the same award I got next time.. I think the LCWRA is more new claimants. Don't be worrying.
Have a relaxing and restful evening yourself and good night! ๐ด
1 -
Thanks Trevor, I've only just seen this couldn't get back on the site/login issue. Noooh I didn't put a claim in, I was just fighting so hard to keep my job over two years thinking at some point my health will improve but it all just went completely the opposite way and after 22 sickness absences I was dismissed. I understand that but it was all really horrible how I was treated so I miss nursing but not my boss/department/hospital to the point I won't even have treatment their now.
By the way, it's always me that goes off on a tangent ๐คฃ.
1 -
That was not nice for you. You should have been treated better. A friend was dismissed from his long term job with the NHS for something that happened in a department which was not under his control. Not happy at all but now just lives his life and forgets about it.
Don't worry about it, I think I sent it off on a tangent but I've enjoyed the chats! Thanks.
2
Categories
- All Categories
- 14.9K Start here and say hello!
- 7K Coffee lounge
- 81 Games den
- 1.7K People power
- 103 Announcements and information
- 23.5K Talk about life
- 5.5K Everyday life
- 285 Current affairs
- 2.3K Families and carers
- 857 Education and skills
- 1.9K Work
- 501 Money and bills
- 3.5K Housing and independent living
- 1K Transport and travel
- 865 Relationships
- 253 Sex and intimacy
- 1.4K Mental health and wellbeing
- 2.4K Talk about your impairment
- 858 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions
- 916 Neurological impairments and pain
- 2K Cerebral Palsy Network
- 1.2K Autism and neurodiversity
- 38.2K Talk about your benefits
- 5.9K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 19.2K PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
- 7.6K Universal Credit (UC)
- 5.5K Benefits and income