Upcoming changes to benefits

Hi is it means tested?

They Are the biggest scroungers in this country. Disgusting

I haven’t read anything about mobility award or motability . I’ve found that strange.

Thing is I’d consider myself severe but it’s all down to the assessors and that’s pot luck on who you get . Would they consider fibromyalgia and ME as severe ? To them possibly invisible so doesn’t exist.

I’ve a good pal in New Zealand who has EDS( joint hyper mobility)plus severe mental health issues.. she has worked in her life. She struggles. There is no assessment as we recognise it for disability. A govt body contacts her doctor directly and she is left alone. It is not the done thing to demonise people who are disabled.

100% that’s what I thought

Yesterday in a quiet moment at work I read through the Buckland report on autistic employment opportunities and most of what it said resonated with me as an autistic person in work. I recognised all of the problems and challenges and agreed with the solutions proposed. What I don't see in current govt policy, at least in that which has been leaked, is any interest in applying these.

Buckland says many times that overcoming misinformation and stigma around ND conditions is central, meanwhile this past week the Daily Mail has claimed that dyslexia and adhd don't exist and even the Evening Standard claimed everyone is self-diagnosing online.

This is not accidental, these articles are happening to shift public opinion in favour of welfare cuts by occluding real lived experiences of disabled people. Obviously I can only speak for autism and neurodivergence because it's my lived experience but I am sure it is the same for others in other disability groups.

I wrote to the DWP a while back complaining about the govt cuts threatening my job and got a generic letter back today which did not even mention the Buckland Report in all their "we're going to make work better wooh!" commentary.

Removing PIP from anyone will not incentivise a single person into work as PIP is not a work related benefit, but I have read many stories from people for whom losing PIP will cost them their job. This isn't me at present, but in the future it might be depending whether it impacts my travel support or other aspects.

The suggestion of more frequent assessments is also not going to help anyone ND or with a MH diagnosis. More assessments means more triggers means less function means less likely to be able to work. But at the same time they've said permanent disabilities may not need to be reassessed? I know this is all speculation right now but that's such a contradiction given their assault on neurodiversity in general. It's as if they think autism and ADHD will go away o.O.

And there are several MH diagnoses which are also permanent, even if some others are not.

I reflected this morning that at no point in my whole life do I feel like I live in a democracy. Everyone else has to speak for me, and people like me. When we try to speak, we're shut down or ignored. Sad, isn't it?

thank you that’s reassuring. Can you give us a run down of the procedure and times please ? I know it’s a green paper and I think it has to go to a white paper etc but how long does it take before it’s in law and if it’s challenged in court will that delay it and for how long . Obviously there’s no definite timeframe but a rough idea would be good. Are we talking a few months ? A couple of years ?

Also I’ve read they could possibly stop pip for low level disability. Is that invisible conditions such as fibromyalgia ME? I’ve researched online and the equality 2010 act includes pain and fatigue conditions as it does mental health that isn’t classed as mild . Unless they intend to change that act does it mean as long as our conditions whatever they may be will be covered as long as they aren’t mild ?

sorry for long post but I think it’s important to know what they can do legally as opposed to what they’d like to do .

Thank you and thank you to all the other mods aswell it’s been a very horrible scary time for us and this forum is one beacon of light in the darkness