Agreed. This is about one thing and one thing only. To reduce the number of people on DLA by 20%.
It is not about helping people or making the system easier. To qualify under " special rules ", terminally ill aplicants will have to die within 6 months., that’s just one example.
How is being unable to manually propel a wheelchair for 50m over flat ground a fair measure of high rate mobility?
Do we all live in shopping malls?
Unless the new standard rate mobility will be the same rate as the current high rate mobility and maintain the Motability scheme, some of the most disabled MSers I know are going to have terrible financial and emotional difficulties. It is disgusting, shameful, immoral, and any other synonym you care to choose. It is indefensible.
Lots of strong feelings of fear and anger on this thread… Can the MS Society use these comments anonymously to let peoples’ feelings / concerns be known?..Just a thought…
Ms society are doing squat diddly about. Why bite the hands that feed? They did nothing with regards to ESA why bother with PIP? Ms society are a brand name business. They don’t really give a damn about folk with MS we are a means to an end.
I know someone who gets DLA lower rate mobility because she gets panic attacks when it snows, someone who get incapacity benefit for IBS and someone on high rate DLA and IB because of a bad back. He still manages to play pool nearly every other day and work under his car.
I am sorry but the system needs to be reformed. They have put people on IB to help lower unemployment figures. The problem we have faced is on the very first day the story broke they decided to use a severly disabled person in the story not the legions of people who abuse the system.
I would just like to say that there is no condition that will automatically entitle you to the higher rate of mobility.
I think most of us are aware that dla will be changed to pip ( personal independence payment ) in the near future.
At the present time dla is paid in two parts mobility which has 2 rates and care which has 3 rates - however when it is changed to pip each part will be renamed and have 2 rates each - the standard rate and the enhanced rate just another way to target disabled people.
I am a member of benefits and work and it is a very informative site I would recommend it because like Jane I have always said knowledge is power.
I am going to finish typing now because it’s nearly 5.30 and I need some sleep.
As you might have guessed I am no friend of this government but try not to get too worried about this. At this point nothing is certain.
The benefits under the new higher rate mobility under PIP might not be comparable to the old higher right mobility under DLA i.e. you could get the same benefits under the new standard rate of PIP. That has not been made clear yet. This could mean that ‘blue badges’ and ‘motability cars’ would be triggered under the new standard rate of PIP.
This government do not have a track record of thinking things clearly and the reality of the proposals are not yet clear. I think we need to keep a close eye on this, support the disability rights groups’ campaigns and lobby our MPs. (look what happened over that nonsense about higher rate mobility payments for people in care)
I personally think that those on lowest rate awards will be hit hardest.
Incidentally I would also be personally stuffed under the new criteria for higher rate mobility. I could probably self propel on a dance floor for 50 metres but can’t stagger down to our local post box about 20 metres away on an uneven pavement.
Have been diagnosed with relapse remittance MS since 2007. I’m 55 and work full time. I rely on my car for work as I cannot walk at all unaided.
I had my PIP interview a few weeks ago which lasted about 40 mins. The guy who I saw used to work on a stroke ward. And seemed to know little if nothing about relapse remittance MS.
My application was turned down, and I’ve had to re-apply, with support letters from friends/family/medical. I’m now waiting for the next letter.
My stress levels have gone through the roof, is there anyone who is in a similar/same situation? My husband is my carer and they already stopped the carers allowance on Aug 14th. I still have my motability car, although the DLA are no longer covering the costs.
I cannot afford to buy/insure/tax/rac a car of my own, so face losing my job.
Good news, after a re-application, to my great relief, I have had my PIP application accepted!
Can I offer the following advise…
I would recommend that anyone who has had their application turned down, to call PIP and request a copy of the questionnaire completed by the person who did your one to one interview.
Once received write down your explanation against each of the questions as to why you don’t agree with their decision and give as much detail that you can.
Contact any medical specialists that you can, and get as many letters of support that you can from people you work with, people/friends who can give a detailed account of how you cope on a day to day basis.
You get just one month to re-apply, so just get everything completed and ready to send off, take your time - keep a paper and pen with you where ever you go, as often things spring to mind/occur when you least expect.
In my experience the lady I spoke to at PIP was very helpful, as was motorbility, but obviously the stress levels were still evident.
My PIP runs till 2022, so I have this for 4 years. Though I’m guessing I shall have the same stress once it comes around again. But for now I’m going to enjoy the use of my car!