Green Paper Related Discussions

Hi everyone - I know we're all here fighting not only for each other, but all disabled people. However, 'if' these proposed changes to benefits come to pass it reads like those who were found LCWRA pre-2026 will keep that award. In line with this, & with the same amount being payable is the 'severe conditions' element.

My understanding of that is that the 'actual' condition won't change or improve. So, @secretsquirrel1 I'd think possibly if someone has MS & had had periods of remission, then they 'may' not qualify. However with something like ME, then I don't think the bit that Disability Rights quoted is altogether correct, or has perhaps put the emphasis in the wrong place.

In the 'Explanatory Notes' about the UC & PIP Bill, where you can see the wording that Labour wishes to change in the Social Security Regulations, in Schedule 1 'Amendments to the UC Regulations 2013' the only mentions of 'constantly' are these:

''40A 2(b) at least one of the descriptors set out in Schedule 7 constantly applies to the claimant and will do so for the rest of the claimant’s life.

40A (4) A descriptor constantly applies to a claimant if that descriptor applies to the claimant at all times or, as the case may be, on all occasions on which the claimant undertakes or attempts to undertake the activity described by that [usually one LCWRA] descriptor.''

There's nothing to suggest to my mind that any 'symptoms' have to be constant. Everyone likely has symptoms that change from day to day; different levels of fatigue, pain etc. I know mine do, but nothing is going to change the fact that I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome anymore than it will change the fact you have ME.

To me it reads that the 'descriptor' itself has to be constant, or that it has to usually apply, & I'd think it therefore incredibly difficult for the DWP to 'argue' anything about symptoms changing from day to day (tho they're making it very difficult for those whose actual condition fluctuates to have this severe condition applied).

Please see: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/59-01/0267/240267.pdf

If you don’t get a 4 you’re not sick or disabled. And if these pass can they then change the actual descriptors ? I don’t know how they’re getting away with things that even IDS couldn’t. They’re not just evil they’re cunning with it

And means-testing is back on the table:

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

Yep and not even about saving money. Just hatred

How would that even work as pip leads to lcwra so would the reduce uc by the amount of pip ?

I really hope you’re right but it’s still unfair on those with fluctuating conditions. My main conditions of ME and fibromyalgia are constant every day in that I wake stiff and in pain due to fibromyalgia then if I over exert myself which is good for fibromyalgia I get PEM from ME. I have it written from a therapist 13 years ago I have to rest every 15 minutes to pace myself. Now I have cervical spondylitis so resting triggers that and the neck pain causes migraines. Plus pains down my arm yo my hands. I also suffer bad cramps I assume from fibromyalgia as bloods didn’t show anything. The leg pains are every day as is the fatigue. Yet I got a 2 year award increased by dwp to 3 years . The idea I could not only lose pip but be made to work is scary are its not possible. Thank you for your advice it’s much appreciated x