Means-testing PIP

Zipz

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1063979#Comment_1063979

Your AI tool is quite simply wrong about PIP ( in its present form). PIP/DLA/AA have nothing to do with income/ assets. Some of us (including me) would be in wretched states were PIP to be means-tested like UC. I am not entitled to means-tested benefits yet am very poorly off.

WhatThe

PIP is a ''poverty handout'' from the government… like all other welfare benefits. There's no shame in claiming welfare benefits, is there?

Zipz

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1063993#Comment_1063993

Of course not. I've spent most of my life on benefits having been severely physically disabled since childhood. But it troubles me to hear PIP being related to poverty when it is riggtly unrelated to income or assets. Moreover, from where does the term "Poverty Handout" derive? I don't think it's DWP-Speak. I doesn't even sound like the right-wing gutter press.

WhatThe

"Moreover, from where does the term "Poverty Handout" derive? I don't think it's DWP-Speak. I doesn't even sound like the right-wing gutter press."

MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,464 Championing2:46PM edited 2:48PM

PIP isn’t a poverty handout.

luvpink

Oh not this rearing its ugly head again.

MW123

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1063996#Comment_1063996

I used the phrase “PIP is not a poverty handout” specifically in contrast to Yadnad’s claim that wealthy people shouldn’t be claiming PIP. I was rejecting the assumption that PIP is some kind of charity payment, unfairly claimed by the wealthy.

PIP exists rightly to recognise disability-related costs, regardless of income or status. The award is based on how disability affects daily life, not on someone’s earnings or assets.

Disability doesn’t discriminate, but public opinion often does. PIP must stay rooted in functional need, not lifestyle optics or moral arithmetic.

Zipz

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1064084#Comment_1064084

Thank you.

WhatThe

luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 2,822 Championing9:01AM

Oh not this rearing its ugly head again

"Poverty handout" is a very ugly term to bring to the forum, yes!

luvpink

This subject has been brought up few times before and it causes anxiety and division.

The government ruled out means testing and I hope it remains that way for the sake of us who would be affected if it ever happened.

Zipz

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1064107#Comment_1064107

You and your AI tool brought the term here yesterday. Perhaps you should depend less on AI and more on your own intelligence and good-heartedness.

WhatThe

Zipz. HERE IS THE ENTIRE THREAD WRITTEN BY MW!!!

I had never heard of this term until MW wrote it yesterday. I think it's disgusting. Now kindly leave me alone, thank you!

MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,465 ChampioningAugust 31 edited August 31

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1063920#Comment_1063920

PIP isn’t a poverty handout. It recognises the extra barriers disability creates, no matter your income. Means testing it would effectively punish people for living long enough to retire or for having saved responsibly.

There are no current plans to means test PIP, and no legislation has been proposed to change that. In fact, Stephen Timms stated clearly in Parliament before the summer recess that the government is not pursuing means testing.

State pension, private pensions, annuities are all taxable once income exceeds the personal allowance. Your friend is paying tax. His income is already net of tax, and PIP does not exempt him from paying tax on his private pensions once he passes the £12,500 threshold. PIP is paid to acknowledge the additional costs that disability brings.

The £5,000 car tax claim is misleading. That is a one-off levy for brand new, high-emission vehicles in their first year, not an annual charge. Using it here inflates the issue far beyond reality.

And the Blue Badge it is not about avoiding parking fees. It is about access. It exists so people can park closer when walking is not possible. Charge exemptions are incidental, not the point. Most importantly, he only has a Blue Badge because he meets the strict PIP criteria.

Personally, I am always glad when someone gets the support they are entitled to, because let’s be honest, PIP is a very hard benefit to qualify for.

Community_Scope

Hi all

Where possible we like all discussions to continue, but we’re choosing to pause this discussion for now so things can cool down and we can review it. For more information, please read our online community house rules.

We will review it and if we are satisfied the discussion can continue, we will hope to un-pause it by 12pm tomorrow.

Community_Scope

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your patience while we paused this thread. We know this is a sensitive topic and want to make sure the conversation continues respectfully.

PIP is not a means-tested benefit. Its purpose is to recognise the additional costs of living with a disability, regardless of someone’s income or savings. This is different from income-related benefits such as Universal Credit, which are designed to provide financial support to people on low incomes. Even if unintended, phrases such as “poverty handout” can feel dismissive or stigmatising to claimants of other benefits.
It’s important to remember that our words can sometimes be understood differently from how we intend them. A phrase meant as a neutral description might feel upsetting to someone else, depending on their experiences. Equally, it’s natural to feel hurt by something we’ve read, but sometimes that reaction may come from how we’ve interpreted it rather than what the other person intended.
With this in mind, we ask everyone to give each other the benefit of the doubt, assume good intent where possible, and focus on sharing experiences and ideas in a respectful way. We will not be reopening this discussion.