Upcoming changes to benefits

Yeh took it directly from the photo uploaded but doesn't seem to be a valid link

in many ways I feel angriest for people like you that have ‘beaten the odds’ and fought harder/made more sacrifices to get into works

Kendall and reeves should be sending these ppl thank you cards and flowers every week imo as it’s kind of their ‘ideal poster child scenario they want for all disabled that is not easy in practice to achieve

The fact these reforms will make life difficult for ppl in your situation may be the most unforgivable outcome (even far right ppl with a lack of brain cells should be outraged by that)

mines up early next year so I could get my review form anytime now . How could this affect me , any idea?

plus why has the DWP employed more case managers to make decisions on paper if they’re making changes. I’ve heard of a few that have been awarded on paper based on assessments.

Read a little about the "right to try" legislation, which allows individuals to work without losing benefits or having to restart their disability application if the employment opportunity does not work out. Of course, what this looks like in practice remains to be seen. I, for one, would love to have a job where I can actually make it through the day.

(Edit: quotes didn’t post)

@Moorgater @Maggie37

I recommend reading into ‘Labour together’ - many of the MPs that had a significant hand in building it (such as reeves, streeting………….surprisingly even nandy) now have a seat on the cabinet.

I don’t think starmer was ever a member and was chosen to be the face of the movement (now known as ‘starmerism’) but not a main scriptwriter.

If starmer does take the fall in the future - mcsweeneys team will just try to get one of their own installed as his replacement (probably streeting)

There’s a saying to ‘cut the head off the snake

My gut is telling me starmer is not the head of the snake but nearer to the tail (and a snake can survive its tail been cut off)

I’m not absolving starmer of blame of this s******w, on the contrary I think he needs open his eyes and see the old ‘swamp that needs draining’

Start using your lawyer techniques for good starmer!

Me too, I don't understand how my points add up now and I can get pip but if they change the rules someone who scores less will qualify and I will not! Seriously considering asking for a review now rather than wait until the changes come in as I am due one next year anyway.

Those far right people are not, sadly. They think that if you're able to work you shouldn't receive any help, they also seem to conveniently discount the fact that just over half of all British adults are on some form of benefit to survive because pay is so poor in most jobs and rents are so high.

It's all a complete mess and going after the disabled is just easy low-hanging fruit for these people.

Please excuse me if I've got any of this info wrong/names etc. I don't think I have though but what I perceive/interpret from it may be wrong.

I (probably because of HR/operations background) usually tend to look at what's going on from a 'recruitment perspective' to try and get a feel for what their strategy is.

Interesting to see a different focus/phrasing on jobs advertised with the civil service - DWP and Angeus (might be Augeus) whose contract, awarded until 2029, with the civil service went live c Sept 2024 and who provide the assessment service for the South (Maximus for the North). Caveat: first time I've looked for c a year or so and with their aim to merge the assessments for PIP and ESA into one.

DWP quite a few jobs now advertised stating people with visible and non-visible disabilities can apply including [examples stated] autism, chronic fatigue, epilepsy, mental health problems including schizophrenia.

I've never seen that before not to say it's not been their a while. More illuminating to me is Angeus Disability Assessors job vacancies, some similar sounding phrases to some of the rhetoric we've heard such as people not benefitting to improve their potential in life and coaxing people with long term and chronic health problems back to work. One mentioned the 'over 50s' too. Had to look at a few advertised to find them all and didn't know how to paste them here I'm sorry.

One of those advertised with Angeus is not working from home (as some are) as they'll 'visit clients in the community/? home visits'.

More jobs advertised for Work Psychologists to work with Job Centres to coach work coaches. Interestingly, it was the work coaches jobs that did not state that people with visible/non- visible disabilities could apply. (I just googled Disability Assessor jobs to find Angeus and DWP jobs to find the information. I had to accept Cookies and don't know if that's an identifying feature, just putting that out their but I personally don't give a rat's behind if it is).

I'm absolutely not trying, nor want, to 'scaremonger' sharing this info. 1. It's MY interpretation of what I see and 2. Forewarned is forearmed (usually) and to some extent.

I don't believe for one second that whatever plans that have been made in readiness for the Green Paper have been formulated recently. (The jobs I saw were mainly interview dates c end of April 2025, so ? start dates c ? August 2025 and theres usually an intensive c 8 week training period) ? ready for any transition and changes in 2026.

I suspect while Labour were in opposition it was being planned in readiness for major welfare changes at some point; albeit maybe kept between Starmer/Reeves.

Despite the question marks about whether increases to PIP are being frozen or not, I do not, sadly, think they'll be any significant backtracking by Reeves et al. on any of their major welfare policy changes, regardless of any opposition or rebellion from Labour MPs, or charities. I will be very happy to come back on here and eat my words if they do backtrack.

I will personally be looking with forensic detail (brain fog allowing) as I am determined to get my mojo/fighting spirit back and, whether changes do, or do not affect me personally (I do suspect they will!), but I will help Scope or anybody in our fight for justice, dignity and restoration of any money taken off us. There is so little dignity left in some of the health conditions I have and I'll be damned if I don't put up the fight of my life to try and avoid even less dignity and abject poverty especially because it is an avoidable and a sickening, political choice by Labour.

Please keep a strong spirit everybody, whatever is announced on Tuesday. I do not think any changes will be immediate but anything distressing announced or fear we feel, we can come on here to vent, share and get support. Am I glad I found Scope - thank you!

With very warmest wishes to everybody x