Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Is this yet another example of Government trying to stamp on people least able to put up a fight!! Totally disgraceful if this is allowed to go ahead!!
DLA and AA threat

Best Regards- Taggy

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Just wonder if Mancie has read this yet:rolleyes:

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I know that there are places where carers are concerned that their hosts, the charity website they post in, is not making enough row about all this. If the charity for the blind, and others, are worried about how this will effect their members they ask why carers charities are not screaming in protest, some even go as far as suggesting that objecting will not be done as that could upset the paymasters.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

well i have n have signed, its disgraceful, what do you actually think?

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Got to admit it's confusing.. but seems to me the proposal is that payment system would change to "means tested".. I don't like the idea because most people have already paid via tax and national insurance for these benifits..but the old argument could be why a millionare should be paid the same benefits regardless of income.
Overall I would not agee with it and signed up.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

The social benefits system does need a major overhaul.

It should be there as a safety net for those genuinely in need. Not as a career option for the work shy, which for some it most definitely is.

A system that allows able bodied people to be financially better off for not working, is wrong, both for society and for them as individuals.

This country now pays out more in social benefits annually than it raises in Income Tax. That is wrong.

I firmly believe all social benefits should be means tested. I'm still amazed that we pay child benefit to children whose parents who are city bankers etc, and who probably have combined earnings in excess of £250,000., that should be stopped.

The benefits system should benefit those who genuinely are in need.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

What worries me is that the "major overhaul" you talk about will be done under a Tory Government. I don't agree when there's talk of means testing for basic benefits like JSA and child allowance, for the simple reason that these are paid directly to wives/individuals that may have a partner earning an income, but that income could be kept by the earner and non of it passed on to the wife/partner.
Taking into account the income of benefit applicants is already a requeirment in almost all of benefits paid, but it's another case of thin end of the wedge.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

If in the situation of a parent witholding earnings, child benefit, paid to the other parent, isn't enough to feed, clothe, and put a roof over that child.

Witholding earnings that should be paid in child maintenance should be pursued through the legal system.

A non-means tested benefit for every child in the country is ludicrous. Stop paying it to high earners, and pass it on to those children it will make a real difference to.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Of course child benefit is not enough to feed and clothe a child..but at least it's something a mother has control of... this was one of the first basic payments made when the whole structure of health and wefare reforms where introduced back in the 50's... basic and untouchable!

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

It's archaic, as well as patronising to say it's something mothers have control of. Like every child has a doting mum, and a dad who blows all his weekly wages in the boozer and at the bookies.

Some child benefit is paid to lone parents who happen to be male.

Should Prince Edward and his wife get child benefit?

No.

Should the money saved if it was means tested, go from the pin money tin of the wealthy, into the pockets of children from poorer backgrounds?

Yes.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

But you are suggesting that a basic payment that is made to everyone with children should be means tested..I say No..it's better to have a few that don't need it getting it ..rather than the people that do need it not getting it

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Yes I am saying that someone earning more than the average wage should not be getting a non-means tested benefit.

That money should be targetted at children for whom it would make a difference.

As stated earlier, a country that is paying out more social benefits than it raises in income tax, will soon be in no position to help those people who really do need state assistance.

Having generations who decide they want to procreate, and stay at home and not work, whilst an ever dwindling workforce pays for them to do so, is wrong, and in the long term unsustainable, and the real poor and needy will suffer as a consequence.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

And who would be "targeting" these basic benefits?.. Whitehall civil servants that are given instructions to write proposals with a remit of cutting public money ?.. cuts cuts cuts...it's time to vote Tory if that's your outlook.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

...and if you believe that all wealthy people should continue getting social benefits, when there are children for whom that money, saved from those who don't need it, could benefit massively, perhaps it's you who are the more natural conservative.

Give me one good reason why two teachers say, on a combined income of £60,000., should recieve child benefit?

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

There were boys at my school from wealthy backgrounds, one of whose already well off mother used to pay for my friend's tennis lesson at Whalley Tennis Club with the child benefit money, and I also had another school friend whose mum kept it in a tin in the kitchen...to pay the gardener.

Totally true, and in my opinion totally wrong, when that money could have gone to many other children in much greater need.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Because they pay for it.. and because no one should have to go begging to the "means tester" that knows jack squat.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Perhaps living in Cloud Cuckoo Land you're unaware that most social benefits, are already means tested, unlike child benefit.

If anyone at all who wanted social benefits just had to ask for them, such as the millionaire Lotto winner suffering from stress, then we would soon be bankrupt, and we'd be in no position to help anyone, including those genuinely in need.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

hang on ..I did say that most benifits are means tested http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...nce-48673.html.. and for me anyone that thinks an overhaul of the benefits system by a Tory Government would not lead to hardship by the majority of this country is living in cloud cuckoo land... (or by the ducks in the pond) :D

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

...as child benefit should be as well.

It should not be available to already comfortably off parents to pay for their children's tennis lessons, or to tip the gardener.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

It's a "basic" payment of around £20 a week.. are we really that bad off that it should be means tested employ more civil servants to deciide who or whom should recieve this basic benefit?... mind you thinking it would increase employment in the now down trodden privatised social service offices.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

On that rationale you could pay every single person in the country, even the billionaires, Income Support as well.

Trust me, any good parent won't give a damn about any stigma you seem to think must be associated with means tested social benefits, if it means their childrens lives will be made a little bit easier.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Anyway Class Warrior, you might be happy robbing the poor to feed the rich a few more truffles...I'm not, and I bid you good night.

:D

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Leave it.. don't change it..leave it as it is..a basic payment..if you start messing around with child benefit you are slipping down a road the Tories have been trying to pave for 50yrs.. don't to go down that road.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

chipping in as an outsider , surely the "better off" who recieve this benefit have to declare it as part of their yearly income, and come income tax time they pay tax on it ,as part of their gross income so the Govt. gets back indirectly a part of what its paid out , or are benefits classed as tax free ? :confused: :confused:

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I ain't said nothing about any stigma..the stigma would come like school dinners but would be when the man/women has to go collect his/her child allowance from the post office..... I say that everyone who has children should be entitled to child benefits as an overall payment..no matter the income... and should not be messed with.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

DLA isn't payable to anybody with over £16,000 in savings, and the amount received is effected with savings between £6000 and the upper ceiling of £16000

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Most people here don't declare a yearly income, it is more or less up to your employer to give details of your income..unless you are self employed.
Child allowance is a tax free payment for any parent..some take the view that it should be paid only after a long process of application forms for the less well off.. why don't we just put a big yellow star on the kids that some dipstick down the social security office deems they need the allowance?

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

How does attendance allowance work in terms of having savings.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Like most social benefits, you don't queue up anywhere to access the money, it's paid into a bank account, just like all the other benefits poorer people are entitled to.

You don't have to queue up at the workhouse door for child benefit. Therefore there is no social stigma, and I for one be much happier if the benefit that is paid to wealthy parents was finding it's way to the children who need it more.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

The figures above are the parameters, TD, under £6000 doesn't affect the amount you received, between £6000 and £16000 the amount is cut down accordingly

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I agree on child benefit Rindi, it should go to those most in need, at the moment a millionaire can claim it which to me is ridiculous

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Chip away at the edges and you will eventually get down to the bare bone.. people not to long ago fought for a basic child allowance for all ... now you lot would push it aside because of the economic situation...take care.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I have signed, why oh why do they have to target the vunerable when trying to make cut backs? At this rate there will be nothing to cushion people who are genuinely in need. Do they not realise that????

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

My point is Mancie, the rich don't need child allowance and to me they're cheeky if they take it, would sooner more went to the really needy myself, just an opinion

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

We'll not agree on this one.

You may want to protect the right of wealthy parents to receive child benefit.

I'd much rather this be stopped, and the money saved given to those children who actually need it, and for who it'll make a real difference, and not pay for tennis lessons, that more well off parents would still fund regardless if they received this money or not.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

OK..but who will decide which parents should have child allowance?...it would not be Gordon Brown or Cameron.. it would be some poor sod behind a bullet proof screen in the DHSS.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I thought this thread was about the threat to stop DLA and AA:confused:

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Not all organisations that represent disabled people are opposed to this green paper, and welcome the changes it could bring, and which it would be harder for those feigning disability to abuse.

'There was universal support at the roundtable for the green paper's proposal to create a single needs assessment for a disabled person that would be "portable" – recognised by any local authority wherever an individual lived in England. Seen as a landmark in social care policy, the new assessment would break down one of the biggest barriers to social and economic mobility cited by people with a disability. One participant described it as a "huge leap forward."

Moving forward | Care and support reform | guardian.co.uk

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I don't see it as a step forward however much they try to dress it up. There is already monies being paid out for this very cause which is being swallowed up elsewhere.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

'...the six underlying principles behind the service. They are that a national care service will be committed to help people retain their independence; assessment for need will be the same wherever a person lives; services will be integrated and easy to understand; they will be designed around individual need and everybody who qualifies for care will get some of that support funded by the state.'

Social care green paper: Can we bear the burden? | Society | The Guardian

That can only be a good thing, because at the moment there are many needy people not getting the corect entitlements because the present system is too fragmented, and you need a degree to access what is actually available.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

At the moment social benefits for disabled adults come from three seperate bodies, and it's a bloody nightmare.

Luckily at the moment I'm quite compus mentis, but I know many people who struggle to get what they are entitled to, to help with their care, because the current system is so complicated.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Of course people deserve to have services that help them keep their independence but the cynical side of me just can't see them getting it right. Who decides what your needs are if you are vulnerable? The way I read it on the carers sites I visit it is the complete lack of adequate qualified paid carers that is the problem. I just can't see this working.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

The same people who decide now if someone is entitled to these benefits in the first place.

At present many thousands of people who are entitled to these benefits, and who could keep some sort of independence, are slipping through the net, because it's so damn complicated. Whilst at the same time the current system allows thousands of others to succesfully fraudulently claim, when they shouldn't be getting a penny.

Watch BBC 1 at 9.15am, or Google News 'benefit fraud', to see how easy the present system is to defraud for those who are savvy to the holes in the current way it's fragmentedly organised, and which pays money to those swinging the lead, leaving some genuine claimants in dire straits.


The present system has many flaws, and I'm of the opinion that change isn't necessarily always for the worse.

For many it couldn't get much worse.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Over worked people fiddling about with desk loads of paperwork will decide..it would cost more in working out who might need what and when than it's worth.. next thing you know bods will start talking about "savings" in the NHS ..savings in the NHS or welfare should not be on any respectable party agenda.. if they are then they can come clean and tell us the bottom line.. then we can all decide.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Yes I agree that their are many who are defrauding the system and have been watching the programme you mention. When Ian was awarded DLA they didn't just accept his word for what was wrong, he had to see somebody at the doctors. You will always get people who think it is ok to defraud the system and tightening things up should help.
But why take DLA and AA off genuine claimants??

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

You would agree that it should not go dark at night if it got rid of a labour government.. :D

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

As stated earlier, at present social benefits are available to a disabled adult from three totally sperate bodies.

That's three different, and very complicated applications, and three sperate payemnts.

This green paper proposes that all benefits will be more easily accessed via one centralised organisation.

More chance that those in genuine need will find out what they are legally entitled to, and less chance of fraudulent claims from those who aren't.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

So they say, sorry I don't buy it.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I did download the "simple" PDF version of the green paper which made the government proposal... but it looked like a play school chose the window for retards... means testing has always been used in all benefit payments except child allowance...I don't like the idea of more means tests for payments such as DLA because by it's nature it is a basic payment to people in need, but even saying that we all know of people who have struggled for weeks with no income waiting for a decsion made by someone shifting through papers and application forms... it will be made worse by this proposal.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

This proposed change, which may mean DLA and AA are paid under a different name, isn't just about the centralising of financial benefits available to the disabled and sick.

All services, such as the relevant social services, physiotherapy therapy, speech therapy etc, will be easier to access because they are all under one 'care umberella', which they aren't at the moment, and many people don't know what care and benefits they are entitled to.

I don't class myself as being too dim, but for over two years I struggled finding out what was available to me to carry on living independently. Without help from my family I couldn't have carried on living by myself, both financially and practically.

If someone as pro-active as myself struggles to access what I'm entitled to, because the current system is so fragmented and complicated, what chance as anyone who isn't well enough to get what should be their's as a right?

Anything that means all these services and benefits are the responsibilty of one body can only be a good thing.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

But will it make claiming easy? looks to me that it is yet another brick wall for needed claimants to bash through..

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

The proposal is to STOP paying disability benefits and hand them over to Social Services who don't manage the services they are in charge of now very well. If you are happy for them to decide what your needs are or may become in the future than so be it. By all means make it easier for people to access services they need but please don't accept SS as being the best answer for vulnerable peoples needs!!!

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

That is scaremongering and quite wrong.

There are no details in this green paper as to how the proposed new organisation will be structured, and who will be responsible for what. That's the main criticism that can be levelled at it.

It's proposed that all care serevices and benefits are centralised in one new body.

An idea I think is much needed, as do many disabled rights groups too.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

'The adult care green paper's key message on joint-working has already been taken up to reduce hospital admissions in Devon and help carers in Gloucestershire'

'Change may be scary, but radical and system-wide change is what's coming to the care system. Services must be more joined-up, there must be a wider variety available, and they've got to be better and cleverer at meeting people's needs.'

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Artic...are-green.html

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Trust me, yes it will.

If you're dealing with one body, rather than three, with three totally different applications, and that's just trying to access the financial benefits, nevermind the other care services, which are presently all run independent of one another.

I feel real pity for those in genuine need who are trying to find the help they are entitled to now, and aren't physically or mentally strong enough to access the correct bodies, so miss out.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

G I think you know me better than that, I am not trying to scare people. Perhaps the proposals should have been made clear into how the new services and benefits will be structured. It is all good and well saying that they don't propose to stop paying DLA and AA but nobody knows for sure. I for one am happy to sign a petition to protest against this happening.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

In my opinion the proposal, that all care services are centralised in one new organisation, rather the fragmented muddle it is now, is a sound idea.

Until details are announced, as to how this one care body will be structured, which hasn't happened at this green paper stage, I think it is wrong to oppose the idea in principle

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I know you personally aren't scaremongering.

I honestly nearly put in brackets 'not you', after l'd posted it.

Change is scary for some people.

At this stage no one knows what will change, because the government haven't given any details.

All that is proposed is that all the curent different bodies will be accessed via one care organisation.

An idea which l think will be very benefical to those most in need.

From the pilot schemes it appears to work. Work for those who need it, those who aren't well.

I don't oppose the idea, because at this stage that's all it is, because I can only see this proposed change as being benefical.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I don't think it is wrong for people to make their feelings known on things they care about. There are many people happy with the way things are running at the moment with direct payments to pay for the correct care they need. I doubt very much they relish the fact of these services being handed over to SS who have in the past not been able to get the right care for them in the past.
People must respond to the green paper before things move any further to safeguard having their say on any future proposals.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Actually the more I think about it, it's not just a difference of opinion, this petition is now making me angry.

I honestly think the changes are an excellent idea, and I'm sick and tired of helping unwell people, many afraid and scared, not just of being unwell, but because the current system is so damn impossible to understand, and their future appears bleak, because of a lack of knowledge.

I shouldn't be telling people what they might be entitled to claim, and what care services are available to them, because no one else is giving them that information, but it happens time after time, and that's just through one small organisation here in Hyndburn.

So on second thoughts not only will I not be signing the petition, I'll be doing everything in my power to let people know I think the proposal is a damned good idea.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Nowhere in this green paper does it say that!!!

Social services, like all the other care and benefit agencies, will come under this new one care agency.

That's all this green paper proposes,

Nothing else.

No details as to how the new single body will be structured are mentioned.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

The people I am talking about have had a tough time getting the right services in place, they don't need a service that has till now been very noticeable by its abscence to now come along and take those services out of their control again. I reckon they will fight against these changes to avoid any future hassle and I don't blame them.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Hi everyone
I heard about this on the telly last night. It would seem to be that the government is trying to re-allocate the moneys it pays to people that qualify for Attendance Allowance. The are seeking ways to do this either through voluntary groups or your local government offices.

There was a protest group active in Truro yesterday collecting signatures in protest. They were saying "Attendance money today and other benefits will follow along the same path"

There was a minister came on saying "We are not going to touch DLA". Who knows what they will do? Thin end of the wedge if you ask me!

Write to your MP or prospective candidate or even the PM at 10 Downing Street.

It is not good enough!

By the way I am a new member!

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I'm sorry Bernie that attitude smacks of 'I'm alright Jack', and dosesn't take into account the newly diagnosed poor sods, for whom the current system is a confusing nightmare, with many not getting the care and benefits that would ease some of their burden.

One centralised care body, rather than the myriad of different organisation, and totally separate applications we currently have, will be benefical to those most in need.

Please stop repeating that this will all be run by the present Social Service department. Nowhere in this green paper is that stated.

That is all irrational supposition.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I think that you will find that your quote refers to Council Tax Benefits?

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Bye folks the grandchildren are knocking on the door!

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Sorry if you feel that way G but they have fought long and hard to get things into place so why should they want it taken away from them now? I know one lady in her sixties who was carer for both her daughter and her mother for a very long time. There was not a minute of the day she could call her own. Now she has just got proper care in place for her daughter and her mother unfortunately is in a home. Do you really think that after years of doing this she is being selfish? I certainly don't.
To my mind what we need are health care proffessionals who know what benefits are available and who then pass the information on to patients!!!!

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

The people you mentioned as an example don't know how, or if, their current situation will change, mainly because no details have been given in this green paper.

...and I'm sorry to say that yes I do think it's selfish. They have eventually managed to access the right care for their nearest and dearest, no one is suggesting that will be somehow magically taken away, but why should they try and stop those newly in need of having access to help, via this newly created one stop organisation, which will make things one hell of a lot easier?

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Hello, by the way.

:)

Post a greeting in the introduction section, as well.

We're much more friendly in there.

:D

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

And you are sure it will work? I have very grave doubts that some so called expert can ever envisage how these things actually work for the benefit of the people thay are supposed to be helping. If and when you actually need help yourself would you not like to be able to decide which is best for you?

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I think we'll have to disagree on this one Bernie.

I doubt I'll say anything to allay your fear of the changes that are needed, and visa versa, because I most genuinely believe that this proposal, in theory, because at this stage that's all we have, will help more people, just as it has in the pilot schemes.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Er...hello!

If and when?

I have to pee in a bottle because I very often can't manage the stairs, I've fallen down them twice in the last week, and I have a piece of rope to haul my sorry arse out of bed in the morning, and that's only when the drugs have kicked in and I can actually move, plus plenty of other indignities I live with because of Parkinson's disease, but which I'd rather not share right now on a public forum.

As stated earlier, I'm fairly compus mentis, which isn't always the case with Parkinson's, and many other people who may need help, and I struggled to get help because the current system is so bloody hard to fathom, and there's no one to tell you what you may be entitled to get to help you.

Eventually I've managed to get what I needed to allow me to live independently, at least for the time being, but just because I got what I am entitled to, I'll be damned iof I'm going to oppose a system that will make it easier for others in the future to do the same.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

But do you really think all this kerfuffle is needed? Health proffessionals should be aware of what you are entitled to both benefit wise and help with care wise as well. And a damn good place to visit if you think you aren't getting all you are entitled to is Welfare Rights, they are brilliant.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I really didn't want to talk about myself, but I certainly know what I'm damn well talking about, and how currently the system is very hard to fathom, and therefore get what you are entitled to, and having it all under one new care umberalla will make it a darn site easier than it is now.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I do agree some times its a nightmare just to fill in forms and its only when your actually in need of these benefits that you get these forms. I'm lucky I've had a lot of experience over the years, but it must be very hard for someone elderly having to put claims in for the first time, there could be much done to simplify the process

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Many aren't aware, just as I wasn't aware for a long time, of the existance of Welfare Rights.

When the new changes happen, which they will, Welfare Rights will lose some of their burden, because all the information and help they give on care issues will be accessible via one designated care organisation.

Like I said, I don't class myself as being particularly thick, but even being very pro-active I didn't find the current system at all easy to fathom, mainly because it is so fragmented into totally different organisations and departments.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Last word, and I'm sorry to say it, but opposition to any change, even when it's been proven in the pilot schemes to benefit those most in need, smacks of 'I'm alright Jack', and sod making it easier for those who come after, and are trying to get what they need to make their lives more bearable.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

All i will say on this is quite simple, years ago the CSA was introduced to make things easier n simple so errant parents etc would be able to get monies due fer childs welfare easier, whilst i can accept yer points rindy, having faith in any of these ******* to make life simpler is naive in the least. never affected me personally, but there were many suicides i recall reading about, after one body made life simpler.:(

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

better the devil you know ..

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Devils, plural, and that's as long as you know of their existance in the first place, and know how to contact them, in their devilishly inaccessible and varied locations.

;)

Whoops, thought I'd said my last word on this matter, as we seemed to be going round in circles.

Thanks Jen.

:D

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

your welcome rindy ....:D:D:D

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Blessed are those that go around in circles, for they shall be called big wheels:)

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

A more "joined up" system as to how to apply for and admister some services may well prove beneficial to many people, however if the benefits themselves are taken off individuals, and the finance given to social services instead to administer as assessed care packages, then i'm afraid there will be an awful lot of disabled people forced deeper and deeper into poverty because of this. Many Disabled people use their benefits to pay for extra costs associated with disability that would not be covered under new proposals. Disabled people for example dont get extra allowances for heating in winter unlike pensioners, yet because of mobility problems, will need their heating on for longer than most people. I know many disabled people who use their money in this way, and also for other uses which wont be allowed for in a Care Package provided by social services. Disabled people should be able to make their own individual choices as to how they spend their money for their own needs, not have this decided for them. If Governments can save money they will do, and its usually done at the expense of the weak and more vunerable in society, who provide them with least resistance. Would love to see the response if other benefits were targetted and perhaps paid "in kind" instead of cash, perhaps Food Vouchers, Gas/ Electricity Tokens, instead of unemployment benefit eh? I'm fed up of Governments bailing out greed ridden sectors of our society, and crapping on people they think wont protest!Adult green paper could be catastophe for disability allowance recipients - The Social Care Experts Blog

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Well said Taggy just a money saving exercise that will make the vulnerable in society more vunlerable and maybe not even with any improvement in services

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

That's frightening Taggy:(:( but isn't this another example of Big Brother, we know best how to run our life, the time to force things onto people is when they are unable to make decisions for themselves, until then leave well alone

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Yep i agree Jaysay, every disabled person is an individual, and they and/or their carers deserve the right and the respect to manage their own lives and finances if that is their wish, and they are able to do so. I do agree that the whole means around applying for Benefits and Care can be very complicated, and the care packages varry in quality and quantity dependent on where you live, which shouldn't be the case. So a system which would enable a better and easier to access care strategy would be an improvement, however the individual basic disability benefits paid to claiments should not be put at risk to finance a care package. People who receive these benefits can currently juggle their finances to meet their own particular needs. As i mentioned previously, if the Benefits are cut, where would be the provision for disabled people to use money to pay for extra heating needed or extra washing/laundry facilties. Care packages wont take into account the extra monetary needs of disabled people. So whilst there could be benefits from streamlining the system to improve access and delivery, at no point should anyone have to be made financially poorer. But without protest, you can bet your bottom dollar, that will happen!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Maybe if they put more effort into eking out the malingerers, instead of picking on the easy targets, those most in need, would make more sence. Nine times out of ten those who claim benefits erroneously are usually the best at pulling the wool over the authorities eyes, it comes second nature, but those in genuine need don't know the ropes because prior to becoming ill they always worked and paid their way

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Ive had a good long at the Green paper now to ascertain as to if the Government are seriously considering getting rid of some Disability Benefits and heres some of the terminology being used.

Page 15 "Integrating some elements of Disability Benefits, for example Attendance Allowance to create a new offer for individuals with care and support needs."
" We want to ensure that people receiving any of the relevent benefits at the time of reform would continue to receive an equivalent level of support and protection."

Page 40 "If we do not reform the system, in 20 years time the cost of disability benefits could increase by almost 50 per cent."

Page 41 "Funding for disability benefits will also come under increasing pressure."

Page 103 (Talking about a 2006 review by "The Kings Fund") ..."The review recommended that if the social care system were able to mostly meet the care needs of people who may currently only be supported through the disability benefits system, there would be less need for some of these benefits, and there might be the case for integrating some disability benefits such as Attendance allowance into the care and support system."

This tends to support the thoughts that the idea of abolishing some of the disability benefits is indeed very much on the Governments agenda. Also notice that although Attendance Allowance is the only one specifically mentioned, the broad term Disability Benefits gets several mentions, and quotes mentioning AA usually incorporate the phrase "benefits such as AA," which leads one to assume that all Disability Benefits are being looked at.

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

So in other words Taggy the Disabled are going to pay for 12 years of reckless spending, beam m up Scotty

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Kinda looking that way Jaysay aint it!...This whole Green paper rather looks like a Fishing expedition really, a lot of half thought out ideas and suggestions, but no real thoughts on how things will be implemented, by whom, and at what cost! As ever, there are certain things, in this case the Disability benefits questions, which are being hidden within a lot of waffle and jargon, probably to see if they can slip this kind of change in to an overall package, without people noticing...until its too late!!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Seems like par for the course with this shower Taggy, they'll be waiting for a good day to bury bad news:rolleyes:

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Here's the link now for the Petition on the No10 website if anyone wants to oppose the possible scrapping of AA and DLA, ive signed it!

Petition to: recognise the vital support that Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) provide to disabled people, and to ensure that these benefits are secured and are not removed as part of any future reform of the social car

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Signed it Taggy

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Well if anyone doubted that both AA and DLA were under threat of being abolished, they shouldn't be now! Here's a copy of an email i received from the Benefits and work website.

Looks like the veteran campaigner Lord Ashley will be helping oppose this, which is good news!

Best Regards - Taggy
.................................................. ................................................

A champion emerges as minister admits DLA threat
Dear Paul,
The last two weeks have finally removed any uncertainty about whether DLA is under threat, but they have also brought real cause for optimism.
Lord McKenzie of Luton, the parliamentary under secretary of state for work and pensions, was asked last week in a House of Lords debate which disability benefits the government are ‘considering integrating into the wider social care budget in England’.
Lord McKenzie replied:

“At this stage, we do not want to rule out any options and so are considering all disability benefits.”
Even when care minister Phil Hope’s claim that DLA is ‘not under threat’ was referred to and Lord McKenzie was specifically asked to rule out the using DLA as a source of funding for social care, his response was “no particular benefit is ruled out of consideration.”
So, whilst we can’t say why Phil Hope made his ‘be very happy’ statement, we can now say with certainty that it does not reflect the government’s stated policy. For more, see:
Senior minister confirms DLA is under threat
Senior minister confirms DLA is under threat
But that same Lord’s debate also brought a real ray of hope in the form of a champion prepared to fight for DLA and AA.
Lord Ashley of Stoke warned the minister that “any attempt by the Government to withdraw these benefits, or any benefits at all, will be very strongly resisted by disabled people, by their organisations and by many Members of both Houses of Parliament.”
Lords warn attack on DLA and AA will be “very strongly resisted”
Lords warn attack on DLA and AA will be “very strongly resisted�
Lord Ashley – former MP Jack Ashley - is a formidable campaigner, with victories dating right back to the thalidomide campaign of the 1970s. It will not have brought any joy to ministers’ hearts to see Jack Ashley, and a number of other noble Lords, lining up against them. And it’s a tribute to the efforts of Benefits and Work campaigners that this issue has gone from being almost entirely unacknowledged – or dismissed as scaremongering - to being debated in the House of Lords in less than three months.
Elsewhere, the No 10 petition has perked up again, now reaching over 17,000 signatures. As few as another 1,000 signatures should see it getting into the top 10 petitions before the care consultation ends on November 13th. Do you know people who haven’t signed yet? Try and encourage them along to:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/AttendanceA/
Meanwhile, the Big Care debate website continues to be swamped by people protesting about the threat to disability benefits. From a feeble 130 posts when we began this campaign, there are now 2,219 responses on the Executive Summary page and 606 on Having Your Say. The total is far higher than that achieved by any similar government consultation and the responses are overwhelmingly hostile.
If you haven’t yet sent a response, please do so by visiting this link:
http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/greenpaper/execsum/
Or emailing: [email protected]
We’d like to close this newsletter with an email from one of our campaigners which we think is an inspiring example of spontaneous campaigning:
“Today I was in the Blackburn Shopping Centre on my Shopmobility scooter when I saw Mr. Jack Straw doing his shopping. It was too good an opportunity not to speak with him, so after a few swift manoeuvres I asked for one minute of his time. I told him that I had worked for the past 32 years in the NHS and had now been diagnosed with RA [rheumatoid arthritis] hence the scooter and that I have just been awarded DLA and what a difference it has and will make to myself and indeed others and to please not take it away…. He said “he wouldn’t” and gave me his card to write to him and of course I will follow it up with a letter.”
We’re not suggesting that gangs of claimants on Shopmobility scooters should roam our town centres hunting for MPs spending their expenses – pleasing though that image is - but if you’re able to, why not make an appointment to see your MP at their regular surgery and put your views across in person?
With an election looming, the fact that people are prepared to actually visit them in their offices will make a real impression, particularly on MPs with slender majorities.
Good luck,
Steve Donnison
Please feel free to forward or publish this email.
Benefits and Work Publishing Ltd
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk
Company registration No. 5962666
POST YOUR NEWS
Finally, remember that you can post your news in the Benefits and Work forum, if you’re a member, at:
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=showcat&catid=13
and/or in the free welfare watch forums at:
http://welfarewatch.myfineforum.org/index.php
You can also keep up with news about opposition to the green paper at the Carer Watch campaign blog:
http://carerwatch.com/cuts/
Unfortunately, we’re getting so many emails on this subject that we are unlikely to be able to respond individually. But we do appreciate hearing your news and views and we do encourage you to publish them for others to read on the forums detailed above.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

when the tories get in there will only be two benefits,so they wont need as many civil servants and if you think its bad now just wait till then..:rolleyes:

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Which is just as good a reason for signing the petition in protest at any attempt to rob some of the most vunerable people in society of Cash Benefits to help cover their extra needs because of Disability!

Government....and Future Government, need to know that they will face a backlash of Public Opinion if they try to cut their public expenditure, by inflicting poverty and extra hardship on people who already suffer more than most. Dont punish the weak and disabled to recoup loses incurred by the greedy and incompetant!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Ahh but therein lies the lesson Taggy "if it don't affect me why bother?" Unless you have GENUINE need of these benefits you will never know just how degrading it feels to TRY and get them. The saying "there but for the grace of god go I" springs to mind when trying to get the point across:(

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

Without going over old ground, I do know, and even though I'm fairly compos mentis, I found the present system a nightmare to understand and access, and do think it could be made a whole lot easier for people to get the help they need, if it was controlled by one centralised body.

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

I agree with all what you say about making the system simpler Garinda and making the care and the associated benefits easier to access, however this should not be at the expense of the cash benefits that disabled people need, and rely upon for the increased costs of their disability. This is the aspect to which i am drawing attention, and it is this part of the Green paper which i, and many others are opposing! Making a system better should not need to mean making individuals poorer!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Government Trying to Abolish DLA and Attendance Allowance?
 

If you can show me anywhere on the Green Paper, where it says financial benefits will be cut, then of course I would oppose it too.

I honestly haven't seen any evidence that this is proposed. Just that all the various different offices there currently are, will come under one umberella, and in theory, in my opinion, this will make it easier for those who desparately need help, to access it.