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Boris Johnson concerned about DLA reform…
Telegraph and Left Foot Forward reporting on the Mayor’s reponse to DLA reform consultation, obtained through freedom of information request -
How disturbing. I have, for the first time ever, found myself agreeing with something BoJo has said! Does this mean I am turning into a TORY…help!!! I’m much to young and trendy for such a fate!
Young and trendy? I thought we’d met?
‘Responsible Reform’ report published setting out digest of all government responses to consultation obtained through FOI -
findings include that, overall, 74% respondents against PIP proposals and, in terms of specific proposals -
92% opposed changing care comp rates from three to two;
82% opposed ending automatic entitlement;
98% opposed extension of qualifying period to six months;
90% opposed introduction of wca-like assessment; and
92% opposed changes to review system.
Link to report in Guardian ‘comment is free’ article by Sue Marsh -
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/08/disabled-people-welfare-reform-sham
Young and trendy? I thought we’d met?
55 is the new 30!
DWP has tweeted the following in response to the ‘Responsible Reform’ ( #spartacusreport) report -
re #spartacusreport ... DLA an outdated benefit. Vast majority getting it for life without systematic checks to see if condition has changed.
This has led to hundreds of millions of pounds in overpayments….
https://twitter.com/#!/dwppressoffice/status/156393842852118528
https://twitter.com/#!/dwppressoffice/status/156393927631581184
Typical DWP report. We all know there is an elephant of truth here regarding SOME claimants, but of course the inference continues that they are all at it as the system is open to abuse. The main problem is that a majority of my clients who receive DLA have no idea what the qualifying criteria and conditions are. “Its just me disability money” is a common response. You can’t blame claimants for meeting the criteria and not educating them as to what basis they receive their DLA. With regard to the “most are on it for life” thing I find that to be not my experience of claimants. Replacing it and calling the benefit out of date BECAUSE there are no checks is a ridiculous situation.