The Universal Credit Bill becomes law. Here are the changes to disability benefits you need to know

11516182021

Comments

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 7,442 Championing

    And starmer made it clear to all mps vote on everything they suggest kendell already said welfare bill not substantial I'm so sick with this still waiting for uc migration letter this is so unbearable would drive anyone insane

  • YogiBear
    YogiBear Online Community Member Posts: 384 Pioneering

    Agree Catherine. This Timms review is a face saving exercise of the government.

  • Passerby
    Passerby Online Community Member Posts: 839 Championing

    Although I don't believe anything of what Timms says, he said in his interview that the review was not for spending cuts. Then, why a review is needed, unless it's to tighten eligibility to cut the number of claimants on PIP, which is indirectly cutting spending on PIP?

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 4,464 Championing

    jw68, miscreants is the right word for them.

    I'm 100% persuaded that nothing has changed since I claimed Incapacity Benefits in 2006. DWP has knowingly put me at risk of harm and homelessness by denying my rightful entitlement ever since! I've told them I'm just waiting to retire so they'll leave me alone. They have no intention of leaving me alone just yet though πŸ˜”

    I have identified what I believe is the root of the scam which is a 'Correction Slip' inserted into the ESA regs by IDS in June 2011 which was carried into the 2012 Welfare Reform Act unscrutinised and unchallenged.

    It didn't correct anything; it corrupted the ESA regs. It was a corruption slip. I've tried and tried to explain it on this forum but members still believe it was so long ago that it no longer matters. It does.

    In 2015, IDS suddenly spotted "a fundamental flaw in the regulations", new cuts were agreed and ESA was further corrupted by the removal of reg 29 -(2)(b) - exceptional circumstances - from the WCA process. That was the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016.

    Reg 35 -(2)(a)b) under Part 6 of the ESA regulations is the equivalent of reg 29 -(2)b) under Part 5.

    In 2008, there was a Work-Related Activity Assessment (WRAAt) (Part 6) and a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) (Part 5) to determine eligibility for an award - in that order.

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 7,442 Championing

    Its going to be rough starmer has told all mps they work for government not us and I'm not sure if he's actually changed this already I just despair

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,457 Championing

    Catherine, I understand why many people are concerned about the strict party discipline within Labour and the perception that dissent is being suppressed, especially in light of recent suspensions of MPs who voted against government welfare reforms.

    I have thoroughly checked all credible government and news sources, and I have found no evidence that Keir Starmer has instructed MPs to work for the government rather than their constituents. Could you please tell me where you found this information?

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 7,442 Championing

    How do you stop yourself from sinking all doctors can do is give meds everyday is such a struggle labour are in my head I can't get them out the constant fear of losing everything hangs over me daily I've felt bleak over the years with worries but this is very real I don't know how to sustain living under such pressure it's hell on earth starmer is doing amazing at breaking the people I wish I never seen that sunak speech that day and I'm worrying over not getting migration notice I have to go to dentist today I just don't want to leave the house I just don't want to think anymore it's to painful

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 3,600 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Morning @Catherine21 it's been a lot recently hasn't it. I hope you're ok. Getting out might help a little (although the Dentist doesn't sound too funπŸ˜…). Maybe pop and treat yourself to a coffee and cake beforehand just to help take your mind off things if you can. πŸ’›

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 7,442 Championing

    Was online someone was showing the job description had changed for mps maybe false

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 7,442 Championing

    To much this is third tike been back sane tooth going to tell them today this is not acceptable have to get in they go private from September hope your well Holly

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,457 Championing

    Catherine, I think I’ve found what you may have seen, it’s about the tightening of rules around MPs having second jobs. They are still allowed outside work, but they cannot provide paid parliamentary advice, must declare income over Β£300, and need written contracts for any external roles. Labour is also looking at further restrictions, especially on roles that interfere with public service or undermine MPs ability to represent their constituents properly.

    P.S. Goodluck at the dentist I hope you get the tooth sorted out.

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 7,442 Championing

    OOh Great Thankyou ! So thier actually encouraging mps to support us wow oh yes dreaded dentist 3rd time back seen different dentist it's the filling she didn't do properly I hope your well

  • Tumilty
    Tumilty Online Community Member Posts: 409 Empowering

    These MPs and DWP are inhumane. They don't care one bit, just hounding people down who are vulnerable just to save a penny. This story is a disgrace and I hope the guy challenges the decision, takes it all the way to court and as far as possible to get his motability. πŸ™

  • onlymeagain
    onlymeagain Online Community Member Posts: 227 Empowering

    My last assessment was by telephone. The assessor decided I could walk more than 50m without physically seeing me so dropped me to 4 points from 12. He also claimed I didn't need much help with daily living so dropped me from 12 to 8. We had just ordered a WAV from Motability so I was so stressed thinking we were going to lose it.
    Thankfully, because I complained about the assessor someone had the sense to check with my GP who backed up what I had said and so I continue to get enhanced on both.
    But like the chap in the previous post, decisions are being made without seeing the person, and whilst I don't like F2F appointments, the telephone assessments rarely go in our favour.

  • luvpink
    luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 2,789 Championing

    My telephone assessment was fair and accurate, as opposed to the previous two f2f assessments when my mobility was reduced from high to standard and reports were full of inaccuracies and I had to go to MR

  • sarah_lea12
    sarah_lea12 Online Community Member Posts: 408 Empowering

    Just reading through some of the recent comments . I was awarded enhanced on both with not telephone assessment , I just received a text saying my review was complete and then 3 days later received a letter award saying my daily living had been awarded enhanced and I kept my mobility enhanced.

    I never got any 4 points on anything , I know i should have got 4 on the needing help for my sleep apnea. My sleep apnea is severe and my anxiety and fear of masks is awful and my husband needs to help me every night to use the mask and he sleeps in the spare bedroom because I am restless throughout the night .

    I was awarded 3 years again which is ridiculous as my hearing will get worse not better, the arthritis will get worse I cannot do anything with my right hand . Walking has got worse and I recently moved into an adapted social housing bungalow because my house was unsuitable .

    I think I was awarded without phone assessment because of OT report it had everything on it so there wasn't anything to add .

    I really hope and pray my next review is the same but for a longer award , I am 61 on 1st September and my award is until June 2028 , I think that was because i will be near retirement , but honestly my life is easier in the bungalow , and now we get full rent paid through UC we were able to get a motability vehicle, it is the very first brand new car we have ever had during our 35 year marriage and my husband worked hard for everything we were able to afford, he is delighted with the car and so am I , I can now get in and out without pain , if I lose both pip on the next review we are lost as we live out of town and away from everything really. I know it not until 2028 , but it is still a worry especially with the benefits as they are being messed around with .

    Sorry for the long post I don't mean to bore you πŸ™„

  • Passerby
    Passerby Online Community Member Posts: 839 Championing
    edited August 11

    As for your sleep apnea, have you enquired about a surgery? I know someone who used to suffer from sleep apnea and used to use a mask. Not long ago, he told me that he had a surgery and didn't need any mask anymore and that he couldn't be happier.

    I've already protracted sleep problems and don't think I would survive from sleep apnea. Not many people know the hell that people with sleep apnea are going through, which also tremendously impacts their daily functioning and overall life.

  • sarah_lea12
    sarah_lea12 Online Community Member Posts: 408 Empowering

    Hi, I havent even considered surgery because I would be scared. Mine is central sleep apnea where my brain doesn't tell me to breath , they think it is hereditary . Most people don't understand sleep apnea like you say it is very scary , I was stopping breathing 39 times an hour , some stop more than that , but that really impacted my daily life , I suffered and it is awful to live with . I am part of a group and some have had surgery but didn't work .

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,457 Championing

    @Catherine21

    Hi Catherine, I received an email from my MP today and thought it might be relevant to our ongoing discussions around PIP reform.

    She confirmed that disabled people, carers and organisations will co-produce the upcoming reforms, with financial support provided to ensure broad participation. The process will be aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Once the review is complete, its recommendations will be debated publicly and may inform future legislation.

    Importantly, this is not a bill and will not be voted on as a package. It is a consultation and evidence gathering process. Any legislative changes if there are any would require a separate bill later.

    She also stated, β€œI confirmed directly with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that my constituents will be contributing to the upcoming consultation on PIP reform.” She plans to host further events and meetings once the review begins, with more details to follow.

    It looks like she is committed to ensuring disabled voices in our community are heard. If others are tracking the direction of the PIP reforms, it may be worth encouraging their own MPs to do the same so that consultation reflects lived realities, not just policy assumptions.

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 7,442 Championing

    That's amazing thankyou for sharing fingers crossed 🀞