Upcoming changes to benefits

1909193959698

Comments

  • Amaya_Ringo
    Amaya_Ringo Online Community Member Posts: 259 Pioneering
    edited 12:59PM

    I will need to read the actual paper to understand all of what she said around all of the benefits as I am not great understanding an oral tirade, but from a PIP perspective, I feel like at the very least we can take from it - no vouchers, and no means testing (good things). And while the 4 points threshold is controversial, I am also relieved it isn't relating to mobility which is the bit I rely on most (being unable to navigate out of a paper bag).

    I would like more details of this 4 points threshold - and whether it's 4 points in one thing and then scattered points in others or over 4 points in everything. And how often the DWP will push people down to 2 in assessments to remove their eligibility - having fought for my 4 points in preparing a meal!

    I also read some reports they were changing the enhanced level from 12 to 16. That will impact people, especially with regards to how assessments may or may not happen. The press reporting on increased assessments seem to have been mixed up as she only mentioned them with respect to ESA and WCA as far as I can tell. Nothing said about PIP assessments at all or the mess that they currently are.

    So yeah. Next job will be to read the green paper. But I am at least taking as a positive the obliteration of vouchers and means testing from the PIP table.

    Anything else I reserve judgement on for now.

    Hugs to everyone, we're all in this together.

  • Tumilty
    Tumilty Online Community Member Posts: 172 Empowering

    So if contributed recently i.e you've just come on to esa after work it will be a mix of the both but if been on esa a while it stays the same.

  • philevan77
    philevan77 Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected

    I m lost by all of this

  • secretsquirrel1
    secretsquirrel1 Online Community Member Posts: 458 Pioneering

    that’s how I read it on guardian . So lcwra becomes like a disability premium? But it will be based on how your disability affects you not on your capacity to work . Is that right ?

  • secretsquirrel1
    secretsquirrel1 Online Community Member Posts: 458 Pioneering

    Albus please could you post updates as they come up to make it easier for us to understand

  • FluffyCatMeow
    FluffyCatMeow Online Community Member Posts: 88 Contributor

    brilliant, thank you! That break down post will be super helpful and much appreciated

  • Jenwren
    Jenwren Online Community Member Posts: 31 Empowering

    So I don't know if this is the right thing but I just found this on the govt offical website - it looks like the green paper, but I need to double check.

    I'm going to try to read through it and see what I can understand

    If it helps anyone it's here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper

    There's also copies in large print and something about evidence here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper

    I'll see if I can find a way to do bullet points of main points if that would help anyone?

  • philevan77
    philevan77 Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected

    so do we have to re apply for pip ?

  • sparrow77
    sparrow77 Online Community Member Posts: 13 Connected

    Thing that has left me confused as I was given lwc in 2021 I claim universal pip and my husband has carers for me but we do not and have never had any extra money on top of universal for the LWC . So not sure how this side of things will affect me. But the pip points change is going to affect alot of people

  • SM9346
    SM9346 Online Community Member Posts: 41 Connected

    Tbf if the reassessment is being scrapped permanently for lifelong disability abd it means we don’t have to do anything in future with it. I’m pretty happy with that.

  • Ray212
    Ray212 Online Community Member Posts: 652 Empowering

    What has been announced?

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is now going through her main announcements.

    This includes merging jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance.

    The "complex" and "time-consuming" work capability assessment (WCA) for universal credit will also be scrapped in 2028, Kendall says.

    She also announces that trying to get a job will never put a benefit at risk, with a new "right to try" initiative, and the "financial incentive" to go on welfare benefits will be removed. 

    She says the government "will legislate to rebalance the payments in universal credit from April next year, holding the value of the health top up fixed in cash terms for existing claimants and reducing it for new claimants".

    The minister adds there will be "an additional premium for people with severe lifelong conditions".

    Kendall then says that the standard universal credit allowance will rise by £775 by 2029/30.

    The secretary of state then vows to "switch back on" WCAs after the last government reduced the numbers carried out in the pandemic.

    People with the most "severe disabilities and health conditions" will not need to be reassessed on their suitability to work, she adds.

    On personal independence payments, Kendall says the benefit will not be means tested, and a Tory proposal for vouchers will not be introduced.

    She says people will need to score at least four points in one activity to qualify for PIP, Kendall adds - in a change that will require a change in law.

    The PIP review system will also be reformed.

    Kendall says this will save £5bn a year by the end of the decade.

    On support for those looking for work, the minister announces £1bn a year for employment support.

    The minister says the government will consult on whether the health top-up to universal credit should be delayed for those under 22, with the savings spent on work support and training opportunities.

  • ThirtySixteen
    ThirtySixteen Online Community Member Posts: 45 Contributor

    I’m by no means a political mastermind but I’ve followed this ‘talk’ on BBC news and tbh I’m not as worried as I was 35 mins ago.

    It doesn’t seem as bad as we all thought, or does it?

    The fact that the Tories are saying it’s not tough enough is a point to remember. (Yes I know it’s their job).

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 9,142 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    I'm currently herding a lot of cats today, but the team will do what they can. 😊

  • dream
    dream Online Community Member Posts: 118 Contributor

    you can sense what is next theres no jobs for able body people its goig to be hard for us

  • mawempathy
    mawempathy Online Community Member Posts: 30 Contributor

    Gonna make PIP assessments even more stressful. If you lose PIP, you lose LCWRA, and loss of both will mean homelessness for a lot of people - unless you're one of those mythical people clearing £900+ a month disposable income.

  • SM9346
    SM9346 Online Community Member Posts: 41 Connected

    I’m wondering the same. That’s the group I’d move into when I migrate over. I won’t be doing that if my benefit is going to be cut next year.

  • ElizaRose
    ElizaRose Online Community Member Posts: 397 Empowering

    Neither can I. It feels like my head is in a vice. I am totally confused. It's all gone over my head really.

  • Danny123
    Danny123 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
  • pinkrose
    pinkrose Online Community Member Posts: 103 Empowering
This discussion has been closed.