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DENW LEP article 19.3.2013

People in the rest of the UK will continue to claim DLA until 9 June 2013. From 10 June 2013, all new claims for disability benefits for people between 16 and 65 will be a claim for PIP.

Exisitng Claimants

People already receiving DLA who will be aged between 16 and 64 on 8 April 2013 will eventually have to make a claim for PIP instead, even if they have been given an indefinite or lifetime award of DLA.  This will begin for some people AFTER October 7th 2013.  Those with fixed term awards which become renewable and anyone reporting a change of circumstance will have to apply for PIP.  From October 2015 all remaining DLA claimants will be "migrated" to PIP through reassessment.

There will be no automatic transfer of existing DLA claimants on to PIP. At some point they will be contacted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and invited to claim PIP. This will involve completing the PIP claim forms and being assessed under the PIP criteria - which will probably include a face-to-face assessment.

Aged under 16 or 65+

There are no plans at the moment to replace DLA with PIP for children aged under 16 or to reassess people receiving DLA who will be over the age of 65 when PIP is introduced. People aged over 65 making a new claim for disability benefits can claim Attendance Allowance.

More information

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/disability/personal-independence-payment/#soa

The meeting was very successful.

Liam is determined that he will give us an Opposition Day Debate as soon as he can calling for a Cumulative Impact Assessment - if possible before the budget.

We are all aware how thick and fast the cuts are raining down and that so many more cuts are due to be implemented in April. So this is a matter of urgency and we have to be prepared to move on this as soon as we get the week's notice

Our members will have had experience of assessment under the new benefits, or faced cuts to services, or many other changes  – so please CONTACT MPs. Tell them about the debate and ask them to speak. Tell them about what is  happening to your members and make sure they have all the evidence they need to speak in the debate.

Let’s all work together and make sure the debate really drives home the need for a Cumulative Impact Assessment. This level of attrition on the support for disabled people and carers has to stop.

To find out more about the campaign visit the link below.

Campaign for a Fair Society

Researchers at Preston’s Learning Disability Forum [PLDF] found that half of all people currently claiming Disability Living Allowance would lose some or all of their benefits -- and even those who would get more money would have it taken away in charges, thanks to other rules.

Those Employees losing their mobility allowance who can earn a living only because of specially adapted cars would have to give up their jobs, because their cars would be taken away from them and they are unable to use public transport because of their disabilities.

The Government have said the Personal Independence Payment which is to replace the Disability Living Allowance will target the benefit on "those people who would benefit most from additional support, taking fair account of the impact of all impairment types". However,  they have planned to take 20% out of this budget.

The Preston Learning Disability Forum who carried out the research found by trying out the new assessments on 44 people found it will be lost by those people who are most in need as they get little help from elsewhere.

PLDF research group member David Wood said, “ Our work has shown that there will be winners but mainly losers but every one we talked to said how worrying and frightening these changes may be. None of us are certain but its clear the government want to make big cuts. The government needs to slow down.”

The Forum wants the government to think again about how they define the people most in need as these new rules have clearly got it wrong.

Coordinator and Support Worker Rosemary Trustam said, “How can anyone on £141.45 per week afford to lose £71.45 per week let alone when they have extra disability costs as many will ?”.

The Forum’s full report and Executive Summary “Fostering dependency, promoting poverty and putting people at risk”  can be found at the links below.

A recording of the coverage BBC Radio Lancashire can be found at the link below or by clicking on our YouTube link through the icon below right. 

• Preston Learning Disability Forum is a user-led group of Preston disabled people who meet regularly to discuss local services and press for improvements. They provide a hub for information exchange for learning disabled people in Preston. They are heavily involved with the development of anti-hate crime strategies for the City. They are supported in this work by organisations such as REACT and Disability Equality NW.

• Nationally, The Campaign for a Fair Society's full report "A Fair Society" can be found here:     http://www.centreforwelfarereform.org/

• In total 90 cases were studied in the research

• The coalition government have promised an opposition debate in the Commons arising from the successful “Pat’s Petition” campaign. This is currently planned for February. 

• Preston’s MP Mark Hendrick will be holding a meeting in Preston on Friday 1st February 2013 in the morning at the Salvation Army HQ on Harrington Street, 10.00am.  The discussion will about the impact of PIP and other welfare reform changes to people in  the City. Places are limited.  Please call Estelle Warhurst 01772 883575

The Executive Summary of PLDF's research can be found here:  "Fostering dependency, promoting poverty, putting people at risk" and the full report below.

Fostering dependency, promoting poverty, putting people at risk

Link to recording of PLDF's Rose Trustam on BBC Radio Lancashire February 1st 2013

Tags: pldf, pip,