Means-testing PIP

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Zipz
Zipz Online Community Member Posts: 2,287 Trailblazing
edited June 20 in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA

I thought this possibility had gone away until I saw this on B&W. I don't know whether it's genuine or someone seeking to scare the vulnerable.

Screenshot_20250620_190047_Chrome.jpg

EDIT: More than a rumour. I would have no income whatsoever:

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/ministers-are-secretly-considering-means-testing-pip-dwp-admits-despite-pledge-in-green-paper/

@Albus_Scope

@Holly_Scope

Comments

  • Zipz
    Zipz Online Community Member Posts: 2,287 Trailblazing
    edited June 20

    All over X. I won't sleep tonight. I'm beginning to wish I didn't have a penny and could claim UC but I always wanted as much independence as my extreme disability allows.

    Screenshot_20250620_192611_X.jpg
  • Ranald
    Ranald Online Community Member Posts: 1,412 Championing

    That sounds like an administrative nightmare…

  • Zipz
    Zipz Online Community Member Posts: 2,287 Trailblazing
    edited June 21

    Why? There is no admin nightmare about means-testing UC or the other benefits people have been able to claim until absorbed into UC.

    Scared to death. It's mentioned on YouTube now:

    https://youtu.be/KbQgc7qNLG0?si=N0yNzhKmtdY0cKQC 

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 10,002 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    I'm trying not to rise to possible news until it's cemented in law, but I think means tested PIP would totally go against what PIP is actually for.

  • Zipz
    Zipz Online Community Member Posts: 2,287 Trailblazing
    edited June 21

    The combination of losing CB-ESA (likely) and PIP (possible) would leave me with zero income bar interest from savings which are hardly millions! I'd die. Simple as that.

    A contact said its illegal for the state to leave a person without any source of income but when I look at the country today I'm convinced she's wrong. What say you?

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,666 Championing

    Apologies if I've missed something here, but why can't you claim Universal Credit once your savings drop below £16k?

    PIP isn't classed as income so I doubt there are any legal issues in stopping that.

  • Stellar
    Stellar Online Community Member Posts: 299 Pioneering

    Undermining PIP, as well as the universal principle, is the whole point. that's why government ministers are deliberately claiming PIP is in an work benefit.

  • Zipz
    Zipz Online Community Member Posts: 2,287 Trailblazing

    You haven't missed anything. You've proved what I've said here and elsewhere that people on means-tested benefits (as I was for many years) have little sympathy for people who stand to lose previously non means-tested benefits. Do we all have to have less than £16K before receiving a relatively small amount to deal with major disability? When I came off means-tested benefits I thought I'd be OK if I lived very frugally. It's been hard. Now it's getting harder. Yes. No doubt I'll be back on means-tested benefits.

  • FredFlintstone
    FredFlintstone Online Community Member Posts: 50 Contributor

    If they means test, I'd be totally reliant on my partners pension income to support me. Can't really see it getting enough support to be pushed through parliament. Let's get this first round of **** out of the way before we start driving ourselves insane with what else may come.

  • Trevor_PIP
    Trevor_PIP Online Community Member Posts: 232 Empowering
    edited June 21

    Funny this has come about... As I posted previously, a bank employee told me the DWP were checking bank accounts. I said, that will be for UC and she instantly replied "and PIP".... I said PIP is not means tested and she just gave me that look of are you sure....

    That said, the bank employee could be wrong, so don't be worrying!!

    PIP is not means tested for a reason, and to mean test it would be going back on the whole idea of the disability payment. This government are a disgrace.

    {Comment removed by moderator - uncivil}

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,650 Championing

    I'm the same - I have some savings from over 15 years ago (when I worked full time) - slowly, over the years, these savings have diminished - still over the cut off… used for various things like a wet-room extension (which saved the government thousands in home improvement grants).

    I am not exactly "loaded" and would miss my monthly PIP extremely badly.

    I just hope that they leave it non-means tested

  • luvpink
    luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 2,339 Championing

    If they means test it I will become destitute and homeless but it appears that is what this callous government want.

  • sunshine1981
    sunshine1981 Online Community Member Posts: 254 Empowering

    I've read that this has been discussed for years. I'm really trying to not allow things to bother me, worrying about things before they happen can ruin your life and I'm really trying to stop myself from doing this. I think if you've paid NI then you should have a sickness benefit no matter your savings. If you haven't then you have UC benefit. No one can be left with no income and to live off their savings because eventually everyone will be on UC, it doesn't make sense. I think America have a benefit system liked to income or previous income and maybe we should too