tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post2849282862052716633..comments2023-07-04T16:57:28.929+01:00Comments on Where's the Benefit?: A Premium LifeLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16714918894319998184noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-78316600499520176772014-08-17T14:52:09.610+01:002014-08-17T14:52:09.610+01:00It is now 2014 and I have only just found out abou...It is now 2014 and I have only just found out about the scrapping of SDP through reading above. How can anyone justify scrapping something for the severely disabled with conditions that will not get any better and in some cases will only get worse. For myself I am also a severely disabled sufferer and will be affected as will all severely disabled people. Why do not the MPs (who made false claims for their expenses) and those that were responsible for getting this coutnry into the state it now in be made to pay for their own mistakes and misdeeds and not the people who they are supposed to be representing? What is replacing it if anthing at all???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-44280932771416260302013-01-13T03:44:23.847+00:002013-01-13T03:44:23.847+00:00I am severely disabled, age 53, living alone and h...I am severely disabled, age 53, living alone and have just been awarded ESA but only get £105.05 in weekly benefit. Can someone tell me the correct weekly amount and break it down for me? litigantagent@gmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-7181446955050275932012-07-24T12:50:57.836+01:002012-07-24T12:50:57.836+01:00if i was not disabled i would love to snap the leg...if i was not disabled i would love to snap the legs off anonymous and pull out his eyes and cut off his arms then give the ratbag my 1000 a month that im soon to lose and see how cocky he is then. go dancing fu*ker!<br />seriously sdp loss will hit me hard. it took many years before i got it because its such a mystery benefit. at one point i had to live at a friends vacant flat (he worked away) because i was made homeless. the dwp soon sent a letter saying my friend and i must be gay partners and cut sdp and a chunk of other benefits. <br />i have served my country, worked hard all my life, then after an accident 10 years ago i am left with just enough to eat. im not even allowed to have savings enough to move into a new home if my current landlord wants me out. we need to scrap these 'reforms' totally and save the money by not paying atos to pipe it to france! atos takes such a huge salary for 'medical professionals' already without letting them start the whole work over again.eddyhttp://www.eddy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-24133117463132433252012-04-13T03:44:05.028+01:002012-04-13T03:44:05.028+01:00For those who work and pay tax:
The government do...For those who work and pay tax:<br /><br />The government do not use all of tax-payers money to keep afloat the benefits system: Gov Budget not available for public to see where their money goes and why it creates debate and misunderstanding in the British population. However, a percentage of tax-payers money does contribute towards benefits, yet only really applies to those on higher-end incomes of £30'000 plus.<br /><br />Those on lower incomes of less than £30'000 will pay a very tiny fraction of 5% of their annual income towards the state benefits. Majority of people's taxes are spent by the government on defence, road-maintenance, global charities in a crisis as well as paying politicians their personal budgets.<br /><br /><br />Tsunami relief, famine and wars are top priority on the budget list, yet the government will not publish evidence of this.<br /><br />It is disgraceful as well as uncivilised for those who work to be so spiteful to those who cannot for various reasons. The ferocious cuts that are happening to everyone is vile enough and workers need to opt for a radical party if they want justice and change in the next election.<br /><br />Other useful facts:<br /><br />What percentage of disabled people in the UK have worked and contributed before their illness began?<br /><br />There is an estimated 45% - all of which have already paid their national insurance contributions before getting ill.<br /><br />A good 40% are those who have mental health conditions all throughout their adult lives, yet some of these have worked and made some contributions. However, illuminates the fact that because many employers are biased, those who suffer with a condition are never likely to own a house of their own, can drive a car, have any career prospects alienated from society - their only means of financial support is compulsory benefits.<br /><br />A smaller fraction of benefit claimants at 15% are those who are not ill, yet somehow have successfully managed to secure the DLA. I have met hundreds of these that account for this percentage and because they know a lot about how the system works. These are the ones that eventually will lose their benefits because of how (lack) of supporting evidence for their medical and/or mental health cannot fool the system.<br /><br />It is the lower percentage that will be answerable as they cannot prove their conditions due to lack of adequate and genuine supporting evidence. Yet, it is the unfair impact it has on the rest of those who are entitled to all that they can and should get.<br /><br />Why the DLA premium has been removed is outrageous as well as inexcusable. It only ever adds to the inequality and suffering of a somewhat 'retarded' conservative nation.<br /><br />As for the working poor who complain about people who get this essential life-line, they are merely bitter and very frustrated at the poorer quality of their lives by direct comparison to those on the top-end of the enviable richer ladder. The gap between rich and poor in the UK is vast - it is evident in Surrey at least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-80014267727849263612012-02-12T23:56:36.418+00:002012-02-12T23:56:36.418+00:00Anonymous 6:15am - you can take my benefits and di...Anonymous 6:15am - you can take my benefits and disabilities too. You will then understand why disabled people receive DLA. We're not as well off as you think we are. Many of us have to save up to pay for the expensive items that we need which NHS won't provide. <br /><br />As a disabled person, I am actually financially worse off - by the time you count the medication NHS won't supply, (@ £12 a time) needing to constantly replace clothes and shoes that I wear out easy, etc. And then there's the one-off items that cost at least 2 months DLA - that was in a sale too.Sofiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02475532902290125145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-71721077856046999682012-02-12T21:58:58.488+00:002012-02-12T21:58:58.488+00:00I love the way they assume these idiots that incid...I love the way they assume these idiots that incidentally if they were hit by a car tomoro,would not want to be fixed and mended in case they became a burden(should be cards for this)that NONE of use disabled folk have ever worked or contributed to society,I have run my own business,es over the years and employed many people,plus trained them at my own expense,plus I have started and run a charity,and a community group,all voluntary but taking many hours,and helping those in society from all walks of life...They are incredibly foolish if they think themselves and their families are immune to disease and injury,and heaven help they have a disabled child,we are not uncompassionate robots yet,well some of you are selfish heartless souls,so may as well be a tinman"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-79620801354870369092012-02-10T11:31:30.504+00:002012-02-10T11:31:30.504+00:00Anon.. We dont live in Afghan, thankfully. Some of...Anon.. We dont live in Afghan, thankfully. Some of us very expensive disabled people have served our country and spent time making the lives of all people more secure. Allowing children to eat/drink. Allowing parents to shop and complete daily living in comparative saftey. Many people regardless of religious belief were treated and given a second chance at life, i say this because many of the conflicts that i and many others have been involved in have been complex due to differing religions as well as countries involved in these conflicts. After working and paying into the tax/NI systems, after providing for my family for years, after serving my country and brining up responsible citizens, ie my children, I had the misfortune to need medical care and have to apply for benefits. I jumped through many hoops, filled in reems of paper work, went to medicals, went to tribunals and eventually was awarded benefit. My partner works so no luxury of housing ben or council tax ben. No immediate help with uniforms/meals etc for the youngest children, because i worked. I lost my home, my independance, alomost my family because of an accident. We survive but not live in luxury. I am disabled but i dont get a free car. My mum is disbled she does not get a free car, my brother is disabled guess what? no free car. I would remind you that you could be in my shoes, no one knows what fate holds for us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-29058937098977663532012-02-10T11:02:09.251+00:002012-02-10T11:02:09.251+00:00I only just found out about this as i just discove...I only just found out about this as i just discovered the spartacus website and went to look at the UC bit on CAB web link. I had no idea that i am about to lose more than most. My brother will lose the SDP. this worries me greatly.He lives alone and needs the money to pay for help to get around/do the garden/visit family. Unfortunately there are disabilities in four generations of my family. Some are from trauma, some genetic, some due to defects in development. Either way we cant look to each other for support. I assumed it was just the thing highlighted in the spartacus report, the 26,000 cap for benefit was for famililies on Income support...Find it all very confusing and very scary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-17513585369587820802012-02-06T23:08:17.615+00:002012-02-06T23:08:17.615+00:00It took a long time to write a comment because thi...It took a long time to write a comment because this page crashes my browser, and I think I left out the most important thing. <br /><br />Please, don't let them get away with "Divide and rule" - we are Spartacus, and we will only be heard if we speak, act (and perhaps vote) together. <br /><br />I've been campaigning against cuts that hit the young, as well as the ones that hit me, because I hate to think of more lives being destroyed the way mine was. <br /><br />Please - campaign against cuts that hit the disabled old. Disabled welfare means your welfare, and my welfare - and their welfare, the welfare of the ones who are hurt by the cuts that don't affect the campaigner personally - this time. <br />Please.<br /><br />MermaidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-39482895390525657482012-02-06T22:43:17.692+00:002012-02-06T22:43:17.692+00:00I am in the same position. I have been campaigning...I am in the same position. I have been campaigning continually on behalf of younger people but did not know this "stealth cut" was pending; (although I did realise their plans to award everyone a standard £140 pension might well have the effect of removing this premium.<br /><br />After having been a family carer for most of my life I now live completely alone. Social Services continually "lose" the medical confirmations of my severe physical disabilities (although they have managed to retain psychiatric speculations that were added to my records by an abuser who had no medical qualifications, about 30 years ago.) <br /><br />Removing SDP will almost certainly make it impossible to live independantly. <br /><br />Diabetic (must control diet) severe bone and joint problems (must have heating) wheelchair user. Apparently I will have to apply to Social Services for anything/everything I need - and I have also survived heart attacks and strokes, almost all triggered by verbally violent professionals! <br /><br />My religion precludes suicide - but I don't know what on earth I'm going to do instead!<br /><br />Mermaid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-26873241292490106322012-02-05T17:31:44.923+00:002012-02-05T17:31:44.923+00:00And it seems I don't even understand it well e...And it seems I don't even understand it well enough to get the acronym right - SDP, not SDA!DavidGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11734028655032503805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-18131405384200822512012-02-05T17:30:35.327+00:002012-02-05T17:30:35.327+00:00Anonymous seems convinced we shouldn't have th...Anonymous seems convinced we shouldn't have things handed to us on a plate, because 'ordinary working people' are so generous as to pay the taxes that fund our benefits. Funny, I thought I was one of those taxpayers, both in the 20-odd years I was one of tge 'ordinary working people' (most of it in more pain than Anonymous has ever imagined), and even now, as someone no longer fit to work, where I pay VAT on almost everything out of the pittance I get on ESA. As for 'handed to us on a plate', my ESA medical has to be one of the most damaging experiences of my life to date.DavidGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11734028655032503805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-38500465982337806732012-02-05T17:04:51.929+00:002012-02-05T17:04:51.929+00:00I'm a little late to this article, but I wonde...I'm a little late to this article, but I wonder if the problem isn't so much that disabled people don't want to campaign on SDA, but rather that disabled people don't understand SDA enough to understand the significance of losing it. Despite what the government claims, most people understand that DLA and ESA are significant, even if some of them are misled by the government disinformation over whether DLA is an out-of-work benefit or not. But SDA isn't quite so obvious, or easily understandable. I'll confess that I didn't have a clear understanding of SDA until I read this, and I've been fairly heavily involved in campaigning for over a year now.<br /><br />The problem is a repeat on a smaller scale of the one we all face with the general public - people don't understand disability benefits so don't see the need to campaign to keep them. For SDA even many disabled people don't understand it, so it's a difficult sell to get everyone campaigning on it. Clearly we should be, but people just haven't realised that, and I'm as guilty there as anyone.DavidGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11734028655032503805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-39047382912607653682012-02-01T22:32:10.978+00:002012-02-01T22:32:10.978+00:00A question -if you were on your own and found you ...A question -if you were on your own and found you were suddenly unable to move, what would you do?Freezingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-19487411863972397952012-02-01T19:14:28.383+00:002012-02-01T19:14:28.383+00:00Anonymous please please please try and understand ...Anonymous please please please try and understand one thing, just one little teeny teeny (but it major major for those with a disability) thing. £800 + per month must sound a very healthy and comfortable income to you but for one aspect and one aspect only, if you're not disabled.<br /><br />However, if you are disabled you have to pay your living expenses, just like 'normal people' then on top of that guess what, you have to pay your disabled costs.<br /><br />Are you aware that batteries for an electric wheelchair can cost anything from £200-£500 +. Are you aware that an electric wheelchair can cost anything from £2,000-£6,00 plus and these expenses are incurred by many disabled people because they do not fit the criteria for assistance with appliances simply sometimes because they can stand!<br /><br />Are you aware that many disabled people have to put down enormous deposits on the cars that you so casually say our DLA are paying for!<br /><br />I suggest anonymous you research properly and state all the facts because your posting is half baked!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-10569212649773007772012-02-01T18:58:00.061+00:002012-02-01T18:58:00.061+00:00Just been reading the postings and I also cannot b...Just been reading the postings and I also cannot believe that anonymous said that she is jealous of disabled people. I had to read the sentence right to make sure I had read correctly!<br /><br />I wonder if this anonymous person would still feel jealous if she was in pain yet still had to try and get on with her daily ablutions, still having to get up and get something to eat otherwise you don't eat. Feels absolutely shattered because everything you do is so tiring and takes so much energy out of you, you feel as if you can't go on. <br /><br />I wonder if anonymous is still nodding and saying yes they are still jealous. Obviously anonymous has no empathy or understanding of our lives.<br /><br />Anonymous reminds me of my brother when he was young who never actually said he was jealous but said "I wish I was disabled because they get everything". He was 5 years old and obviously unaware of the situation. <br /><br />Anonymous needs to grow up and be a little more mature than saying they are jealous, it's something a 5 year old would say, wouldn't you agree?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-22924588930285913762012-02-01T13:31:39.496+00:002012-02-01T13:31:39.496+00:00What people like you don't know and would neve...What people like you don't know and would never bother finding out is that people in my situation have their benefit removed to pay for their care. It simply makes a pit stop in my bank account before going straight back to social services.<br /><br />If this bill goes through two things will happen. <br /><br />Some people will no longer be able to pay for their care at all and social services will have to foot the entire bill, putting a system which is already creaking under the strain in a very precarious situation.<br /><br />Others like myself who manage on a mixture of social services care and a few extra hours paid for by SDP will no longer be able to afford the extra hours care (yes, that nice money you're so envious of goes on paying carers to help me get washed and dressed rather than fun things I expect you spend your own money on). <br /><br />Lack of care will lead to deterioration of hygiene and health. Problems which were previously kept in check will instead reach crisis point.<br /><br />It may even be that I can no longer manage to live on my own. If that happens I will have to move into an institution at great cost both personal and financial.<br /><br />This is totally short sighted and will end up costing far more than it saves as well as wrecking lives.Spoonydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530660179706960529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-31975228257809578982012-02-01T13:00:27.612+00:002012-02-01T13:00:27.612+00:00no-one said bein disabled was easy. Im sure its v...no-one said bein disabled was easy. Im sure its very hard living with the pain and stuff, but that dont mean you deserve everything handed to u on a gold plate.<br /><br />ordinary working people pay a lot of tax to make sure the disadvantiged get as much help as they can, but the govt has only got so much money. you cant have everything!<br /><br />thank urself lucky u dont live in Afganistan or somewhere like that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-38155689711720742162012-01-31T23:18:48.428+00:002012-01-31T23:18:48.428+00:00Also anonymous who seems jealous of people who are...Also anonymous who seems jealous of people who are sick and disabled and people like him don't seem to realise that whilst working their income can go towards paying off a mortgage and into a private pension. If you are too sick to work, by the time you reach pension age, you will have absolutely no private pension on top of the small state pension, no pension lump sum and you will not have the security of owning your own home. And, as so eloquently put, you live with a disabling illness that robs you of so much. I've been housebound for the last two years. No going out, no socialising, no work satisfaction, no dinners out, no nothing...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-46169767745104577592012-01-31T02:19:11.288+00:002012-01-31T02:19:11.288+00:00I cannot believe thaat anonymous @ Jan 30 6.15 am ...I cannot believe thaat anonymous @ Jan 30 6.15 am is actually JEALOUS of disabled people. This is quite a current phenomenon. People just think it's nice to sit at home all day and have the State pay for you, while they actually have to urgh ..WORK..<br /><br />How about taking into account the fact that you can walk wherever you please? That you don't watch the clock to see when you can next take a pain killer that you know won't help much. That you can sleep at night? That you can visit a friend or relative when you want to. That you can get out to make friends? That you don't live in constant terror that one or other of your conditions means you could need an ambulance within 10 minutes any time of day or night? That on a sunny day you are not locked away in a dark room unable to move with pain. What about taking a shower and getting dressed. Is that something that can leave you bed bound for the rest of the day? Did you have to give up your chance to have children because you were too ill?<br />Yes, when you are working hard, a day under the duvet sounds lovely. But don't forget, it's not as you feel now. Try it, when you can not get up if you want to, even to go to the toilet? When you cannot watch TV, listen to music or read? When your whole body is just a ball of pain. Still fancy it? For years on end?<br />Then again maybe you'll get as lucky as you think the people you are criticisng are. Maybe someone will drive their car into you at high speed and you will be fortunate enough never to have to work again. Maybe you will be lucky enough to NEED someone to do your shopping or you don't eat? How do you fancy being in your house EVERY day and seeing no one? Will your friends still turn up to help?How do you think you would feel if people felt they had the right to ask if you are faking it? Still fancy it? If you have nothing better to do than troll messageboards telling people living in fear of their very lives that they have it easy, I feel sorry for YOU> Do something to make your life count - you never know when the chance will be taken away from you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-88414370433413842292012-01-31T01:19:14.259+00:002012-01-31T01:19:14.259+00:00I am shocked. I thought I knew what was going on ...I am shocked. I thought I knew what was going on with Benefit Reforms and have been doing everything I can to campaign and help support others,since the June budget of 2010, even in cases that do not affect me.<br /><br />But I did not know that Severe Disability Premium was being abolished. I currently receive it because I live alone and get High rate DLA Care.All my DLA Care goes to the Council for paying a carer which only covers a few hours a week. <br /><br />The SDP was meant to make up for the fact that if you had no responsible adult living with you, you could "buy" more care eg My meals on wheels cost £90 per month now. There are many times I am on my own when I really should not be. At least SDP meant I could pay for extra help in emergencies. I beleive it is £55.30 a week and is basically instead of someone else in the house being able to claim Carers Allowance for looking after you. So if you have got a partner who can help look after you, they can get extra help. But if you live alone, now you can suddenly manage with no one? Even a few extra hours here and there? This is truly terrifying.<br /><br />People with partners or even older children do not seem to realise how much even the smallest thing can help - like getting a glass of water if ill in bed or taking out the rubbish. Nevermind a meal. It is scary enough to be alone so much when suffering from sever M.E as I do, but not to even be able to get some few hours exta help in a crisis is going to be terrifying. I fear I will end up dead and no one notice or have to go into a home. When I got too ill to cope at all a few years back I had to go into a care home just because I couldn't look after myself even basics anymore and there was no one here to help at all.<br /><br />I though my life was already pretty unbearable. I am mostly housebound and my whole day is just trying to do the most basic tasks of living. Or not even that. I can't even bath or wash my hair a lot of the time. I think this lot will finish me off. If I am found fit for work, which I expect to be, because i don't look "obviously" disabled, I will be finished. It only makes me wonder why I tried to survive all this hell for so long, just to come to this. I may as well not have bothered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-13487573656117041462012-01-30T16:34:46.535+00:002012-01-30T16:34:46.535+00:00Do you have a link to the criteria handy? It might...Do you have a link to the criteria handy? It might make interesting reading!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-39228264112686461892012-01-30T16:31:20.761+00:002012-01-30T16:31:20.761+00:00Mostly by abolishing the low rate care component, ...Mostly by abolishing the low rate care component, though removing references to need for constant supervision will see a lot of people like me on middle rate lose out too. <br /><br />Changing the thresholds for the mobility component will see a lot of people lose out too. I can walk a tiny bit, even though I shouldn't (read <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/lisa-egan/welfare-reform-bill-protest-_b_1239973.html" rel="nofollow">this</a> for explanation) and am set to be bumped from higher to low rate because of removal of the "virtually unable to walk" criteria.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16714918894319998184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-63824179353589656122012-01-30T16:21:07.989+00:002012-01-30T16:21:07.989+00:00Appeals and assessments also make some people a lo...Appeals and assessments also make some people a lot of money, just ask those well known medical pros ATOS and G4S!<br /><br />I'm curious what changes are they that cut out the 500,000?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7999633524276247455.post-13972875616414258572012-01-30T16:13:07.309+00:002012-01-30T16:13:07.309+00:00Of course the bill will be higher than it is now: ...Of course the bill will be higher than it is now: They're planning to introduce regular reassessments for people with incurable conditions. Assessments and appeals cost money.<br /><br />Doesn't change the fact that they've rewritten the criteria so that it cuts out 500,000 current claimants.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16714918894319998184noreply@blogger.com