A lady who volunteers in a local charity shop has been told that when her DLA is switched to the 'New Benefit' she will not be able to carry on coming in as under the new rules if you are able to do anything you don't qualify for the equivalent of DLA and those that do (qualify) cannot do any form of work.
It's a national charity so one must assume that they've some idea whats going on but is it correct?
Well I'd take those comments with a pinch of salt. Both PIP and DLA are not 'means tested' benefits. You can work and claim these benefits. I think there may be some rules about the number of hours she can volunteer if she is claiming ESA which I'm sure another forum member could tell you about.
Ultimately getting out, meeting people and socialising can't be bad for her well-being.
Having now read through all the 'Nobody is going to get it' literature from the government I'd say that anyone who can work will fail the assessment.
Hi Gabopentin, I can see where you're coming from but I'll have to say I disagree.Originally Posted by gabopentin
People who do and don't work can get DLA. People who are disabled and able to work have additional expenses if they are physically disabled. They may not be able to use public transport, they may need support getting to work, at work and returning home.
I met a woman who was an electric wheelchair user. She had a Personal Assistant to facilitate her needs. Access to Work is a government body that specialises in removing barriers to gaining and retaining a job. I always found that Access to Work was the first port of call for assistance.
People who are awarded PIP will still be able to work.
I am not so sure. I see what everyone is saying on this, & do not wish to add to the worry. However, PIP is going to be harder to get & the criteria is a lot tougher. So, I do wonder, if you can do certain tasks involved in voluntary work of other work, then someone may say you are not as disabled as you say you are, and..........
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Stephen
I am sure if the Tories had their way, disabled people who work wouldnt get PIP at all, however, I dont think that will happen as it will lead to even more of a outcry. I am sure PIP will be the same as DLA, ie people who work can still receive it.
The criteria for this new testing process is not what is wrong with you but what you can do. Simple logic says that if a person is now capable of personal independence without the test being applied then they will fail under the new criteria. The more you are able to do the less chance of achieving the points needed to qualify. What must also be considered is the people who are carrying out the tests. We already have even terminally ill people losing their disability and IB when moved over to ESA and then failing the ESA test carried out by the same people as before, so they move to JSA. One section of the test I read even suggested that if a person uses a wheelchair for mobility themselves without a human 'engine' then they should be considered mobile. Also remember the 'medical' people who took part in the 'consultation' was selected to ensure that they supported the government view. With honesty like that being applied PIP will turn into the only DWP benefit section with a positive bank balance.
I also saw within the 'leaflet a disturbing idea that the PIP be used to fund social service 'help' for the person. It even had a nice cartoon of an obvious home help arriving to help the disabled person out of bed. Home help costs. So logically this 'cost' would be deducted from PIP and donated to the local council.
The criteria for DLA also - to a large extent - disregards what is wrong. I.E the diagnosis.
The draft PIP criteria does contain the wording 'considers a persons ability to....' but I don't see this as a huge change in assessment. My main concern is still that those who only get low rate DLA care on the basis of the main meal test will lose out.
There is no proposal at all to restrict DLA and work. There is also no indication at all that the use of a 'wheelchair or a motorised device' will result in no mobility award. In fact the draft criteria for PIP mobility clearly state -
'Cannot move up to 50 metres wthout using a wheelchair propelled by another person or a motorised device - 15 points.'
I can only assume that the person referred to here, who has been told they won't be able to do volunteer work under PIP, has been seriously mis-informed. And if they work for one of the national charities that is indeed a big concern.
I've also asked my elected representative who doesn't wish to be quoted but 'they' too see a problem whereas DLA is paid to assist us disabled with the added cost of everyday living expenses but the new benefit is designed to help those most in need with the added platitude that 'no-one who needs help will be worse off'.
He has promised to write to 'the minister' to try and get a definitive answer to my question 'Will the principle that DLA is paid to assist the disabled with added expenses regardless of any ability to work be continued within 'PIP'?'.
He also seems to think that the access to work scheme has been/is going to be discontinued as one of his colleagues is having problems on behalf of one of their constituents.
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