Tamaranth's entry #spartacusstories #spartacusreport

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the benefit paid to people under 65 who need financial help with care and mobility, and who can jump through all the hoops to qualify. The criteria are pretty strict -- my father was deemed ineligible despite suffering multiple strokes, being unable to move around his home or look after himself, and living alone -- and the process of claiming is exhausting, undignified and sometimes illogical. I'm glad I don't have to deal with the DWP on my father's behalf any more. Of course, one day I shall have to deal with them on my behalf ...

Now the government are proposing to abolish DLA in favour of a 'Personal Independence Payment'. (They even have a Public Consultation on DLA Reform.) It seems likely that the criteria for PIP will be even more rigorous, and that some people who currently rely on state benefits will have those benefits cut. And then what, eh? 

There's also Incapacity Benefit, for those who can't work due to illness or disability. IB Claimants are all being reassessed, and may end up with substantially lower payments.

As a benefit claimant myself (Jobseeker's Allowance: am seeking, but not finding) I'm increasingly alarmed by the rules and restrictions that are being applied to cut fraud and prevent people getting benefits to which they aren't entitled. Frequently this seems to mean that people are prevented from getting benefits to which they are entitled. I'm sure there are a few people out there who do claim fraudulently, but the scale of fraud is rather lower than we've been led to believe.

That's a screenshot from Fraud, Error and other Incorrectness in Disability Living Allowance (2005): apparently the figures here are the basis of current reform.

take a moment to contemplate those figures. Official Error costs more than Fraud. So maybe they could start by reducing their own error margin?

Things to Make and Do

- Read this: An overview of some of the cuts
- Sign this: Petition to recall the Public Consultation on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) reform, and to cease work on reform of this benefit
- Write some letters: Broken of Britain's One-Stop DLA Reform Campaign Resource
- Respond to this: DLA Public Consultation
- Oh, and don't forget: don't get physically or mentally sick, don't have an accident, don't spend your savings (you'll need them to top up your rent), don't get old, don't have 'good' days where anyone can see ...

No, it doesn't affect me. Directly. Yet. If enough people kick up a fuss, maybe it'll be easier when (not if) it's my turn.