STOP PRESS : Government propose to stop DLA and Attendance Allowance

[alfwithhair]

Don't know if you have heard about this ludicus proposal but here is the email I just received from a benefit advice site of which I am a member;

 

Claimants have just 100 days to prevent their DLA and AA being abolished.

A government green paper has revealed proposals to stop paying ‘disability benefits, for example, attendance allowance’’ and hand the cash over to social services instead.

Under the plan, current claimants would have their disability benefits converted to a ‘personal budget’ administered by local authorities and used to pay for services – not to spend as they wish.

Once the green paper consultation period ends in 100 days time, if an almighty row has not been raised, it is likely that both major political parties will see the lack of outrage as a green light to end both DLA and AA.

We’re looking for a minimum of 1,000 claimants, carers and support workers to join our campaign to save these benefits from being abolished.

Find out how you can take part from this link:

www.disney.go.com/mickey//disability-living-allowance-(dla)/dla-aa-cuts

We know that many people will take false comfort from the fact that, unlike AA, DLA is not specifically named as being for the axe. But if the government was planning only to abolish AA it is extremely unlikely that they would refer constantly throughout the green paper to ‘disability benefits’, a term which includes not just AA but also DLA.

Others will dismiss this as just another idle discussion document and our concerns as scare mongering.

But it’s much more than that.

36 meetings have already been organised around the country for people working in government and the caring professions to meet to be told about the setting up of a new National Care Service which would oversee the system. In addition, a stakeholders panel of more than 50 voluntary sector organisations, trades unions and academics has been established to offer advice to the government.

Some organisations and individuals, such as RNIB and welfare rights worker Neil Bateman writing for Community Care magazine, have already voiced their alarm.

But not every disability organisation is opposed to the proposals and some even agree with them.

In a press release, Disability Alliance has welcomed the publication of the green paper and said that it ‘looks forward to working alongside Government and all the other stakeholders in bringing these plans into fruition.’ They have even said that they agree that there is a case for ‘integrating disability benefits such as attendance allowance’ into the new system.

One thing everyone does seem to agree on is that huge cuts in public spending will have to take place in the next few years as a result of the credit crunch and global recession.

Political parties are desperately looking for the softest targets to be the victims of these cuts. Dismissing the green paper’s proposals as hot air and not worth worrying about could be the costliest mistake you ever make.

Find out more about the proposed abolition of DLA and AA and how you can join our campaign to fight back:

www.disney.go.com/mickey//disability-living-allowance-(dla)/dla-aa-cuts

Good luck,

Steve Donnison

[Maggie_moo]

It's already been 'stickied' above - hope as many as poss see this - utterly disgraceful.

[upallnightworrying]

I emailed my MP, and told him how disgusted I was with this.

 

This will mean many people will no longer be able to afford to live or pay their mortgage. This policy will increase costs as more people will need social housing.

 

Its an absolute disgrace when they hand out billions of pounds of tax payers money to bail out banks.

 

Please join the campaign.

[ErikaPNP]

Oh dear...someone has been on the happy sauce!!

 

http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/briefings/snsp-05136.pdf

 

http://www.nhsconfed.org/Publications/Documents/Shaping_the_future_of_care_together_final_for_web.pdf

 

Here, you can download and READ the green paper!! Shaping the future of care together : Department of Health - Publications

 

I wish people would post links to the actual proposals when posting threads like these!

 

 

THERE IS ALREADY A STICKY ON THIS AT THE TOP OF THE FORUM.

[loopinlouie]

It doesnt affect dla though does it? or how would they manage the mobility element of it. I thought attendance was for over 65.

[yourbank]

As it's a green paper then it is just proposals which in all likelihood will be dealt with by the next government which is unlikely to be Labour

[ErikaPNP]

It doesnt affect dla though does it? or how would they manage the mobility element of it. I thought attendance was for over 65.

 

No and yes. In that order.

[loopinlouie]

Thanks erika.

[pintsize5]

Hi every one,

At the moment I get HM LC, but I am just waiting to hear if this will be renewed after having a medical from hell.

I have a lot of problems, I dont drive, so need money to pay for Taxis, when I am able to go out, due to leg problems. I also suffer bad panic attacks, so I never can tell the day before if I will be able to face, going out.

What will the Councils do in my case, will they say, ring when you feel you can go out, and we will provide transport, within an hour or so.

What about people who work, but cannot walk a step, they have to use wheelchairs all the time, indoor and outside. They need a relable car, at all times.

I have experence, the Counclis care, I could not make my own meals, so they sent some one to make my dinner. I asked for a poached egg on toast, back came the reply, " is that where the egg is all mixed up, or where the yolk is in the middle", I told them to fry the egg, when I started eating, the egg was raw in the middle.

The councils do not understand the needs of the disabled person, they cant manage now, how could they cope, if they do away with DLA.

sorry for the rant, but when you have had care from the Council, you know how bad it is, LOL

[ErikaPNP]

Pintsize - they should not be sending anyone to cook your dinner unless that person has passed a course in food preperation and food hygeine. I'd be writing a letter asking about that.

 

Care workers are just - there to administer care that they are suitably trained in and capable of giving. They are not cooks and should not be cooking any meal however easy without the relevant certificates, because without them they are uninsured.

[bsj]

I found out about this on another forum,i'm so pleased to see it stickied here.

I signed up for the campaign they have well over 5 thousand signitures now,they are astounded,the campaigners thought it would take the whole of august to reach the target sigs.

 

We just need to keep spreading the word.

 

Just when i thought our goverment could'nt sink any lower :-x