George Osborne’s first budget was never going to be painless, and it has created huge debate amongst political commentators. But for the spinal injuries community, the announcement that all existing and future claimants of DLA will have to undergo a medical assessment undoubtedly stands out most.
This proposal is not due to come into effect until 2013, but considering that DLA is the unofficial qualifying benefit for many other services, it is one that will almost certainly affect the majority of disabled people.
So what do you think? We want to hear your thoughts and opinions on this shake-up of the benefit system. Is the coalition “targeting” disabled people, or is this just part and parcel of a “fair” system of cuts?
Please feel free to leave your comments below. (if you want to know more about posting comments, please see the “How to and FAQs” section on the right).
We were told a while back that DLA wasnt going to be touched, only the other benifits reformed and i laughed, like i believed that. Guess what a few months on DLA is going to get looked at.
I’m in a fortunate position that i work so the only benifit i can get is DLA, I get higher mobility (which makes me eligable for a motability car) and middle care, I get a small amount of money for 3 hours PA a week, based on the fact i need care.
If DLA got reformed i wouldnt get it if it was means tested as i work, I dont earn a huge amount bit I would loose a car big enought to get my chair in easily, my help and lots of other things.
The short of it is i would be better off unemployed as i would very very quickly have no money so i would get all the benifits including free preseciptions etc., housing, income support etc
How does a reform work to save money when i go from working and paying into the system to being unemployed and just taking out the system?
Also I dont know how they are going to do it logistically. I have just helped a friend put a DLA form in, its taken them 9 months to process and sort. If they are just about coping with new claims how are they possibly going to deal woth reassessing ones aswell?
I dont understand why they are reassesing everyone, For example if you have a leg missing and have been assessed as not about to walk without an aid, is that leg suddenly going to grow back? I dont think so. Are any of our spines going to suddenly mend themselves after all this time, I wish
I think this is an ill thought out, kneee jerk reaction and i cant see how it will work without creating a huge mess
Ann, as far as I know, the only reform planned for DLA is the requirement for all claiments, new and existing, to have a medical assessment from 2013 onwards. The eligibility criteria is not due to change and there are no plans to make DLA means tested.
Their is now.