Groups including Mencap, MacMillan, Parkinson’s UK, RNIB, the MS Society and Mind warn IDS’s planned £30-a-week cut to Employment Support Allowance (ESA) will “push sick and disabled people further away from work and further into poverty.
mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/i...
Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson has proposed a motion to reassess the plans to reduce Employment Support Allowance. Please follow this link for more details.
I don't like political style posting on a health group such as this but if they are sanctioned then I think they should be balanced.
This measure does not affect existing claimants.
Claimants with severe illness or disability continue to receive the higher rate ESA.
These facts make me very unhappy to see scare mongering headlines posted here.
A quote in the Mirror :
A spokesman said: “This kind of scare-mongering does nothing to help disabled people, and fails to acknowledge that existing claimants and those with the most severe disabilities will not be affected at all.
“The current system needs reform because it fails to provide the right incentives, and acts to trap people on welfare.
"We are committed to ensuring that people have the best support possible, and that is what these changes are about.”:
We can understand where you are coming from, but our experience in dealing through the helpline and emails gives us a different perspective.
VUK now have the benefit of a volunteer who has extensive professional experience and knowledge of working with the benefit system.
We make the distinction between politics and Party Politics. Health care is inseparably intertwined with politics.
At the moment VUK are working with Rare Disease UK and other support charities in Wales to improve access to adequate healthcare with people with rare diseases. This is clearly political but not party political.
I'm not going to try and tell anyone that puts their time and effort into running a wonderful group like this what direction the group should take. However, as soon as discussions about vasculitus broaden into areas of benefits I think the group begins to lose focus on its core use. I'm sure there are dozens of discussion groups and websites that talk about benefits, government policy. Etc, I just don't think it's right to bring it here.
Yes, we understand what you are saying, but the problem with these discussion groups and websites who deal with benefit issues is that they are very general. One of the problems we have found is that those carrying out assessments of people with Vasculitis and other rare diseases have little or no understanding of the disease and its effects. For this reason VUK think that advice tailored to the individual is essential for a fair outcome. You cannot divorce social care from health care. Sadly, a significant number of people with Vasculitis lose their jobs due to the disease, as a consequence they often suffer broken marriages or personal and social relationships , lose their homes and in effect their lives are turned totally upside down. This has all happened through no fault of their own. John like many others, is retired on a good secure inflation proof pension. But that does not stop us understanding the plight of those diagnosed with Vasculitis who are less fortunate.
As a pensioner, this issue doesn't really affect me in the same way. But I have many friends with long term and incurable diseases and disabilities who will be affected, so I felt it my duty to sign the petition for their sakes.
I genuinely understand your point Suzy, but the post is not specifically about vasculitus, it was generally about all people on ESA and political moves towards change in its future. It was a scare mongering headline and quoted disabled people being pushed into poverty without a fair or balanced approach to evenly show the facts.
I fully support your and the volunteers work and advice given on the helpline, you have my sincere thanks and gratitude for this. Specific problems with benefits for vasculitus sufferers would be welcome I think but the political toned posts shouldn't be here.
Hello luggsey.
This subject has clearly sparked a response from you and that in my opinion is a good thing. The more that the discussion about what the government is doing with the benefits system is promoted the better, regardless of the political opinion.
The system is unfairly difficult to negotiate and charities are increasingly overwhelmed by the numbers of people making contact for assistance.
I'm interested how would you do things?
What do you think we should do to help the people who have lost their jobs due to vasculitis if there is no benefits system to sign post them to?
Shouldn't we raise the issues and encourage the awareness of how vasculitis can impact on all areas of our lives?
How can we protect the benefits system from further cuts without raising the issue in the first place?
I'm confused, do you think this is just a political issue?
I have personally been involved with helping people access benefits for a number of years and there are lots of scenarios I can think of where people have been treated badly by the system - but it's getting worse.
I want a fair system that supports those who have a genuine need rightfully claim enough funds to live, not just exist. I don't think this is an issue to be brushed under the carpet or be ashamed of.
I personally support and believe Susan's decision to create this post, it isn't just political it is to do with our well-being too.
Vicky
vicky@vasculitis.org.uk
If any one does need any advice or information regarding claiming benefits or appealing against a decision by the DWP. You can write to Vicky. Vicky@vasculitis.org.uk . For those who are thinking of going through the appeal process, you only have a limited time to appeal, but do bear in mind that 7 out 10 appeals for those diagnosed with Vasculitis are upheld. So it is worth going through the appeal process, but please talk to Vicky.
Thanks Susan.
There are many claims for ESA that are refused and then awarded after the mandatory consideration and the appeals process. Always appeal their decision.
If anyone would like some guidance with their PIP and ESA claims or just need further information please get in touch, I'm more than happy to help.
Vicky
Vicky@vasculitis.org.uk
This is a subject very close to my heart at the moment as I have just been dismissed from my job due to health reasons and am about to attempt to navigate the benefits system.
I agree that in a perfect world charities such as VUK wouldn't have to get involved in such things ( that are political with a small p, not party political ). I can only imagine the utter financial devastation that can follow losing employment, thankfully my circumstances are such that I am not in that situation. The irony is that although no one will employ me at the moment due to some of my symptoms I won't get enough points to qualify for PIP.
Like Vicky said any discussion is worthwhile, I personally am glad that we have people like her and Susan willing to use their expertise to give advice on these matters.
Viki and Suzi this is moving in a better direction, you are talking about people with vasculitus!
I'm hoping my previous comments said all I needed to say without going off topic again.
Please keep up the good work!
