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Public Services for All > Published by Guest, January 24th 2011 at 1:55 pm

Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship

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Sue Marsh campaigns to raise awareness of hidden disabilities and long term illness; she set up the blog Diary of a Benefit Scrounger to raise awareness of life with a chronic illness

Today sees the second National Protest Day against the significant cuts sick and disabled people face to their support. The protests are focussed on ATOS Origin offices, the company responsible for assessing a claimant’s ability to work. Assessments are carried out by “medical professionals” who are not required to be nurses or doctors and a recent Compass report showed that the assessment process was “unfit for purpose” with 35 per cent of cases going to appeal and up to 70% of those appeals being upheld.

Disability-Living-AllowanceATOS are paid according to how many people they assess as fit, and just 9% of those previously considered unable to work are now being found incapable of any work at all.

Around 60% are projected to be taken of Employment Support Allowance (ESA, previously Incapacity Benefit) within one year. Claimants placed in the “Work Capability Group” with working partners will now need to find work within one year or all of their benefits will be withdrawn - a loss of nearly £5,000.

The other main disability benefit, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is now to be targeted by the government with ATOS also being asked to assess their capability to work. The government hope that 20% of those currently needing to claim DLA will have their benefit stopped.

What’s more, proposals include stopping mobility support for adults in residential care, leaving some unable to leave their homes. Mobility would become based on “ability to mobilise” rather than to walk, hypothetically meaning that  paralympians could be defined as fully mobile.

DLA is not an out of work benefit. It acknowledges the extra difficulties sick and disabled people face to compete on a level playing field with the able-bodied, yet according to this report, compiled for the DWP, the government do not even keep records on how many DLA recipients work.

The report does state, however, that

“DLA recipients, who get DLA but no other benefits, appear to have the highest rates of employment, regardless of the severity of disability.”

The DLA forms state that DLA will usually only be paid in the following circumstances:

*You need help with dialysis at home… at least twice a week;

*You are 100% blind and 80% deaf and you need someone with you while you are outdoors;

*You have had both legs amputated at or above the ankle or were born without legs or feet;

*You are severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and need help with personal care day and night.

It concludes by saying that you are not likely to qualify for DLA if these criteria do not apply, but may still fill out the claim form.

Given how difficult DLA is to claim - the form is 39 pages long with 62 questions, and must be accompanied by reports from medical professionals - and the low fraud rates of less than 1% quoted in the DWP’s own figures, it seems impossible to conclude how the government will legitimately cut numbers by up to a fifth without causing extreme hardship.

  • http://twitter.com/suey2y/status/29537944498868225 Sue Marsh

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship: http://bit.ly/gucj20 writes @suey2y

  • http://twitter.com/peterpannier/status/29537996160110593 Peter Pannier

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship: http://bit.ly/gucj20 writes @suey2y

  • http://twitter.com/suey2y/status/29538284719841280 Sue Marsh

    Woohoohoo! @leftfootfwd is live!! http://bit.ly/gucj20 Feel almost like serious journo type! Time for celebratory cream egg

  • http://twitter.com/dynamicbaddog/status/29538342261497856 Karl

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ

  • http://twitter.com/startleft/status/29538694411063297 Rizzy

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship: http://bit.ly/gucj20 writes @suey2y

  • http://twitter.com/artsyhonker/status/29540290578612224 Kathryn Rose

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship: http://bit.ly/gucj20 writes @suey2y

  • http://twitter.com/dearskippy/status/29540403359260673 dear

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship: http://bit.ly/gucj20 writes @suey2y

  • http://twitter.com/brokenofbritain/status/29541096757403648 Broken OfBritain

    RT @suey2y: @BrokenOfBritain @BendyGirl @DisabilityNow @DisabilityXpert Am on Left Foot forward!! http://bit.ly/gucj20 Piece re Nat Prot …

  • http://twitter.com/rockythehamster/status/29541583258910721 Rocky Hamster

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ

  • http://twitter.com/mancod/status/29543430770130944 Donna Manco

    RT @dominiccampbell: Worrying about the potential impact of cuts to the #disability living allowance. Again http://bit.ly/gucj20 via @le …

  • http://twitter.com/tall_rich/status/29543730411208704 Richard Gillin

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship: http://bit.ly/gucj20 writes @suey2y

  • http://twitter.com/suey2y/status/29545383235428352 Sue Marsh

    @BrokenOfBritain Whoop! Am on LFF too, where IS everyone in my mo of triumph? http://bit.ly/gucj20

  • http://twitter.com/sazzyactivist/status/29547594661232640 Sarah Mingay

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship: http://bit.ly/gucj20 writes @suey2y

  • http://twitter.com/lisa_j73/status/29547946177466369 Lisa Jenkins

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ

  • http://twitter.com/disabilityxpert/status/29548683372535808 Martin Kelly

    RT @suey2y: @BrokenOfBritain @BendyGirl @DisabilityNow @DisabilityXpert Am on Left Foot forward!! http://bit.ly/gucj20 Piece re Nat Prot …

  • http://twitter.com/dontplaymepayme/status/29549130216906752 dontplaymepayme

    RT @suey2y: @BrokenOfBritain @BendyGirl @DisabilityNow @DisabilityXpert Am on Left Foot forward!! http://bit.ly/gucj20 Piece re Nat Prot …

  • http://twitter.com/clarebellla/status/29554774978334720 Clarebella

    RT @Rockythehamster: RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ

  • http://twitter.com/hitchinengland/status/29555093833515008 Hitchin England

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship: http://bit.ly/gucj20 writes @suey2y

  • Angharrid..

    I know it’s an absolute disgrace. I am one of the IB and DLA claiments and am still on the poverty line. My various conditions mean I am going to get worse not better and am ashamed to say I have lost the will to live. When my assesment letter comes rather than go through all the rubbish I am going to end it all. Sounds dramatic but I can’t face it. The illness is bad enough but to be faced with this and be told i’m a scrounger and forced to work or lose is too much. I already get stressed out when I read all the stuff about bankers, private companies etc and just feel i’ve had enough. This world is so screwed up and people let the rich dictate. It’s too much.

  • http://twitter.com/thehooleys/status/29556133765058560 thehooleys

    RT @HitchinEngland: RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship: http://bit.ly/gucj20 writes @suey2y

  • http://dawnwillis.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/sue-marsh-government-plans-to-cut-dla-could-cause-extreme-hardship/ Sue Marsh: “Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship” « Dawn Willis sharing the News & Views of the Mentally Wealthy
  • http://twitter.com/michaeljgorman/status/29573384157274112 Michael J. Gorman

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ

  • Eddy Boyband

    I thought it was labour who gave atos the contract to push 1 million people onto job seekers allowance?

  • http://twitter.com/suey2y/status/29580355514138624 Sue Marsh

    @warrenmorgan Look, look, am on Left Ft Fwd today! A pinnacle! speech about six octaves higher, lol. http://bit.ly/gucj20

  • http://twitter.com/dontplaymepayme/status/29592812269862912 dontplaymepayme

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ fantastic piece from @suey2y

  • http://twitter.com/isdancing/status/29593577843589120 Mabel Horrocks

    RT @dontplaymepayme: RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ fantastic piece from …

  • http://twitter.com/mrs_moog/status/29596750591303680 Zoe

    RT @dontplaymepayme: RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ fantastic piece from …

  • http://twitter.com/bendygirl/status/29602171594997760 BendyGirl

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ

  • http://twitter.com/sinister416/status/29602729462595585 Sinister

    RT @BendyGirl: RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ

  • Lex

    @Eddyboyband, just because Labour behaved grubbily it doesn’t give the Tories an excuse to act filthily.

  • http://twitter.com/nick569/status/29614493432553472 Nick Durrant

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ Yet another go at the disabled.

  • Sharon

    @Angharrid. Get expert help in filling out your claim forms and attend any medicals with another person, you can actually request the interview is taped, or tape it yourself if possible, you only have to inform Atos staff you are doing this in writing before the interview. Arm yourself before hand and please don’t give up. Hopefully, with continued pressure this disgraceful persecution of the sick and disabled will cease to be in the hands of a private company making millions from the sick. Give this budget to the NHS and allow GPs, specialists to assess people they actually know. £300,000,000 could be given straight to the NHS to do what they are already doing, only to have their supporting evidence ignored by Atos.

  • Eddy Boyband

    Lex,
    You are right its no excuse, none what so ever.
    But I find it odd that all of a sudden Labour are angry about this when it was Labour that started it, before the recession had even started.

  • Susie

    Even though home dialysis patients are entitled to DLA, my partner still had to attend a doctor’s appointment for assessment. To assess that yes he was a home dialysis patient. In order to attend the appointment he had to take a half day off from his job. The process of application was hugely and unnecessarily complicated.
    DLA did make a difference to my partner’s life, it enabled him to have attendance and care at home on one day a week and enabled us both to continue in employment. Reduction in DLA is a shortsighted measure, for the majority of recipients it offers support in living and work, not a handout.

  • http://twitter.com/samedifference1/status/29672628482473984 sarah ismail

    RT @dontplaymepayme: RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ fantastic piece from …

  • http://diaryofabenefitscrounger.blogspot.com Sue Marsh

    Thanks for the comments everyone. This issue seems to be gaining real momentum now, so do please keep supporting.
    Eddy Boyband – ESA was the first thing I ever challenged Labour on. Met Jonathan-Minister-For-Ignoring_Disabled (Lab) Who ignored me for over a year.
    Our pips were already squeaking! With the additional proposals from Osborne, people will die, simple as that.

  • jayb

    Both the Labour and the Conservative Government have washed their hands of their less healthy and less wealthy citizens by handing them over to a private consorteum whose sole purpose is to get people off the welfare books in order for the Government to say we have cut the costs of welfare – well yes that’s easy if you stop paying people welfare.

    I am amazed at the societies lack of wherewithal to protest – shame on you all who are sitting on your backsides.

  • http://www.stephenwigmore.blogspot.com Stephen W

    “ATOS are paid according to how many people they assess as fit, and just 9% of those previously considered unable to work are now being found incapable of any work at all.”

    I have heard this quoted before a number of times. I have also heard it clearly denied by a government minister. Can anyone give me an official source for this?

    Thanks.

  • http://twitter.com/warrenmorgan/status/29889912169828354 Warren Morgan

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ

  • http://twitter.com/cutchswife/status/29891691351642112 cutchswife

    RT @warrenmorgan: RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ

  • Eddy Boyband

    Sue,
    Labour starting messing with dla when the times were good, I know because it affected me.
    I just find it distasteful that Labour are saying this is wrong when they started doing this in the good times.
    They are trying to score political points by using the disabled, when they would be doing exactly the same thing had they not lost the election.

  • Lex

    @Eddy Boyband , fair point.

    We need to change the rhetoric about “scroungers”-somehow, it’s the only way we are going to get the currently able bodied on our side.

  • http://edinunianticuts.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/black-triangle-disability-benefits-protest/ Black Triangle Disability Benefits Protest | Edinburgh University Anti-Cuts Coalition

    [...] of the information on Atos is syndicated from a post by disabled rights campaigner Sue Marsh on Left Foot Forward. For more information I recommend [...]

  • http://edinunianticuts.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/atos-origi-disability-benefits-protest/ Atos Origin Disability Benefits Protest | Edinburgh University Anti-Cuts Coalition

    [...] of the information on Atos is syndicated from a post by disabled rights campaigner Sue Marsh on Left Foot Forward. For more information I recommend [...]

  • http://Facebook Suzanne Hayes

    I fell 14 ft into a lock onto a concrete sill and nearly died I am still undergoing investigations, but because I can walk 50 paces I was turned down. Until my accident I worked full time from age of 16 I am now 51. I am in constant pain
    Unless all carers unite as one whatever the reason for caring then we are all just one voice in the wind. We need to be a million voices with a million votes and then we will not be invisible

  • http://private tina lee

    hi can you help me to help a neighbour, she needs help with her dla forms, is there any one in the wallasey, merseyside area to help, i appreciate any advice, many thanks tina.

  • carole cliffe

    When my son developed epilespy the impact on normal life was awesome both of us were affected as was my employer. As a single parent trying to give a consistant work pattern was nigh on impossible and medication did not resolve the issue so for a whole period you are in no mans land and benefits are so inflexible they don’t offer the practical support required I question why are we penalised in this way merely becuase we offer support to a loved one and why does society label us all in this manner ..because they don’t understand we need more visual documentaries to get over why the help is needed.

  • http://twitter.com/suey2y/status/30184420933632000 Sue Marsh

    @johnmcdonnellMP Wow! Tx so much!! I wrote : http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/01/dla-cuts-could-cause-extreme-hardship/ But MPs silent.

  • Craig Lundie

    Labour aren’t angry, Eddy Boyband. Ed Miliband and Iain Gray levered in a photoshoot at Atos Origin’s regional headquarters in

    Livingston two days before this protest was due to take place.

    http://edinunianticuts.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/atos-origi-disability-benefits-protest/#comment-194

    As you can read at the links below, they loudly proclaimed their support for a charity for war disabled the same day as they visited Atos Livingston headquarters last Friday, knowing full well that a protest organised by Black Triangle and Right To Work was scheduled for the following Monday morning at the same building. If you tried the first link, you’ll know that five vans of police patrolled the area and perimeter of the site. Why would they be doing that on a dreich Monday morning in January, do you think?

    You can see the Scottish Labour Party in action here:
    http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/lZEXo_HozEn/Ed+Miliband+Scottish+Labour+Leader+Iain+Gray
    http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/iain-gray-and-ed-miliband-visit-veterans-charity
    http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Ed-Miliband-joins-fight-to.6699121.jp

    I recommend the Black Triangle facebook page if you want information on Atos Macht Frei.

  • http://twitter.com/brokenofbritain/status/30210361974071296 Broken OfBritain

    RT @suey2y: @johnmcdonnellMP Wow! Tx so much!! I wrote : http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/01/dla-cuts-could-cause-extreme-hardship/ …

  • http://twitter.com/rattlecans/status/30210443301625857 Ma

    RT @suey2y: @johnmcdonnellMP Wow! Tx so much!! I wrote : http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/01/dla-cuts-could-cause-extreme-hardship/ …

  • http://twitter.com/brokenofbritain/status/30210492937011200 Broken OfBritain

    REPOST: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://fb.me/JmA2LjKs

  • Craig Lundie

    Labour aren’t angry, Eddy Boyband. Ed Miliband and Iain Gray levered in a photoshoot at Atos Origin’s regional headquarters in Livingston two days before this protest was due to take place.

    http://edinunianticuts.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/atos-origi-disability-benefits-protest/#comment-194

  • Craig Lundie

    Sorry, I hadn’t realised my message had posted – please delete the repeated bit and this. Ta.

  • Claire

    “DLA recipients, who get DLA but no other benefits, appear to have the highest rates of employment, regardless of the severity of disability.”

    That is the most stupid thing I have ever heard.Or the cleverest fudging of the facts. Of course people who get no other benefits have the highest rate of employment – if you are in work you are not entitled to other benefits. Implying that this has anything whatsoever to do with rates of disability is faulty logic/ a cynical manipulation of information.

  • http://twitter.com/chocolateclair/status/30777543283974144 Shelagh Middleton

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut Disability Living Allowance could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ #cuts #cameron

  • http://twitter.com/rachellh/status/31113882126786560 Rachel Hubbard

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://bit.ly/eaxwRJ

  • http://twitter.com/dontplaymepayme/status/33448092137164800 dontplaymepayme

    #ff @suey2y this woman is amazing as this blog demonstrates :0) http://bit.ly/e9hVbJ

  • Annie

    Please sign the petition to recall the Public Consultation on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) reform, and to cease work on reform of this benefit, due to serious flaws in the consultation paper. http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/petition-the-minister-for-disabled-people-to-recall-the-public-consultation-on-dla-reform/569

  • http://liberalconspiracy.org/2011/02/09/a-basic-guide-to-disability-cuts-and-why-they-should-be-opposed/ A basic guide to disability cuts, and why they should be opposed | Liberal Conspiracy

    [...] government is proposing alterations and cuts to two of the most important benefits available to the sick and disabled (although there are [...]

  • http://dearengland.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/important-announcement-national-day-of-protest-against-benefit-cuts-day-3-14th-april-2011/ Important Announcement: National Day of Protest Against Benefit Cuts – Day -3 – 14th April 2011 | Dear England

    [...] Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship (leftfootforward.org) [...]

  • http://dearengland.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/if-cameron-and-osborne-get-their-way-disability-benefits-will-be-a-thing-of-the-past-thank-the-bloody-disability-charities-for-that/ “If Cameron and Osborne get their way disability benefits will be a thing of the past” Thank the bloody disability charities for that ….. « Dear England

    [...] Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship (leftfootforward.org) [...]

  • http://twitter.com/covpolicy/status/74050722202787840 Daksha Piparia

    RT @leftfootfwd: Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship http://t.co/yDgF3oG

  • Susan

    I rely on DLA to manage my MS and keep myself as well and mobile as possible.As I am unable to take medication which is free on NHS due to severe side effects I have to pay for alternatives-homeopathy,neuro physiotherapy vitamins and To avoid spening 3 months in the winter in extreme pain and housebound I go away in the winter as cold makes me very ill.As I live alone and cannot manage if I spend a whole winter in UK I would have to consider residential care which would be far more costly than my current DLA.My current quality of life would be non existant without DLA.