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Disability Bitch
Disability Bitch wants her DLA
16th July 2009
Readers, if I appear a little less than coherent this morning, it’s because I was up ‘til 2am reading the government’s green paper discussion document on the future of social care which, so you know, is 136 pages long.
I’m now in a unique position to summarise it for you. It goes: 1) The population is ageing; 2) social care is expensive; 3) resources are limited; 4) oh dear.
Read the story on the BBC News website
My favourite thing about the media frenzy accompanying the report was all the earnest non-disabled news correspondents intoning very seriously that this will affect us all one day. Here is the news, journalists: it affects some of us right now. Today.
Let’s not beat around the bush: the paper is about reforming the system for people who need care and support to lead independent lives. That, readers, is disabled people. Us. It is being widely taken to mean elderly people who become disabled later in life thanks to the ageing process, but some of us made an early start on that.
Read the story on the BBC News website
My favourite thing about the media frenzy accompanying the report was all the earnest non-disabled news correspondents intoning very seriously that this will affect us all one day. Here is the news, journalists: it affects some of us right now. Today.
Let’s not beat around the bush: the paper is about reforming the system for people who need care and support to lead independent lives. That, readers, is disabled people. Us. It is being widely taken to mean elderly people who become disabled later in life thanks to the ageing process, but some of us made an early start on that.
DLA can pay for Taxis - one of the extra expenses you might have as an independent disabled person
The crux of the matter is that, currently, some disabled people receive care and support for free and others are expected to pay for it, and that’s not entirely fair. The green paper contains some suggestions for making it fairer and there’s a consultation going on where the government is asking for opinions on the different options it has put forward.
So far, so sensible, but one thing that comes up in the paper is the question of ‘joined up working’ between the different services that support us disableds: mainly the NHS, housing, care services and the disability benefits system. Again, that sounds perfectly sensible.
However, within the paper – page 102, if you’re interested – there is discussion about the fact that there are ‘inconsistencies’ between the social care system and the benefits system. It also mentions that previous research has suggested that if the social care system were able to support more people, there might be ‘less need’ for disability benefits.
Um. Shall I translate? If the suggestions in this report ever become law, Disability Living Allowance as we know may well cease to exist and disabled people will, apparently, be supported in different ways.
I know - I like my DLA, too. In fact, I LOVE MY DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t spend it all on doughnuts. I spend it on taxis when I’m too tired to walk, ready meals when I’m too tired to cook, shoes (my consultant has just written a letter to my GP passing comment on my 'extreme shoe wear’ thanks to the characteristic way I walk), on renting a flat in the centre of the town I live in, where I can get to the centre easily and stay mobile, rather than a cheaper place on the outskirts where I would be stuck indoors a lot of the time and become very isolated. These things all contribute to my independence and I’m quite protective of it, naturally.
So far, so sensible, but one thing that comes up in the paper is the question of ‘joined up working’ between the different services that support us disableds: mainly the NHS, housing, care services and the disability benefits system. Again, that sounds perfectly sensible.
However, within the paper – page 102, if you’re interested – there is discussion about the fact that there are ‘inconsistencies’ between the social care system and the benefits system. It also mentions that previous research has suggested that if the social care system were able to support more people, there might be ‘less need’ for disability benefits.
Um. Shall I translate? If the suggestions in this report ever become law, Disability Living Allowance as we know may well cease to exist and disabled people will, apparently, be supported in different ways.
I know - I like my DLA, too. In fact, I LOVE MY DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t spend it all on doughnuts. I spend it on taxis when I’m too tired to walk, ready meals when I’m too tired to cook, shoes (my consultant has just written a letter to my GP passing comment on my 'extreme shoe wear’ thanks to the characteristic way I walk), on renting a flat in the centre of the town I live in, where I can get to the centre easily and stay mobile, rather than a cheaper place on the outskirts where I would be stuck indoors a lot of the time and become very isolated. These things all contribute to my independence and I’m quite protective of it, naturally.
To be clear: the green paper does not say that DLA would be abolished, and indeed The Guardian is currently speculating that it is safe-ish, whereas Attendance Allowance – the disability benefit paid to older disabled people in lieu of DLA – is not.
The green paper does point out that DLA is not means-tested and it does suggest integrating some disability benefits with social care funding to provide new alternatives for people who need the support. Also floated is the need for disabled people to have one single national assessment of their needs, rather than the endless round of form filling and appointment-attending to establish our eligibility for different benefits and local authority support. That sounds fun. Those of us who’ve been disabled a while know exactly how well these kind of assessments go in practice. They’re really straightforward and not at all annoying. Can’t wait!
Actually, I am very surprised to see DLA on the list of things the government is even vaguely anxious about cutting back on, especially when you consider that a few short weeks ago I was writing that it’s currently underpaid, meaning it’s cheaper for the government than it could be. If we all claimed what we’re entitled to at the moment, we’d cost them even more!
The green paper does point out that DLA is not means-tested and it does suggest integrating some disability benefits with social care funding to provide new alternatives for people who need the support. Also floated is the need for disabled people to have one single national assessment of their needs, rather than the endless round of form filling and appointment-attending to establish our eligibility for different benefits and local authority support. That sounds fun. Those of us who’ve been disabled a while know exactly how well these kind of assessments go in practice. They’re really straightforward and not at all annoying. Can’t wait!
Actually, I am very surprised to see DLA on the list of things the government is even vaguely anxious about cutting back on, especially when you consider that a few short weeks ago I was writing that it’s currently underpaid, meaning it’s cheaper for the government than it could be. If we all claimed what we’re entitled to at the moment, we’d cost them even more!
Money: the stuff that pays for the extra expenses disabled people have in their more complex lives
It would probably be a lazy shot to point out that MPs themselves have turned out to be a significant drain on tax resources lately, but suddenly benefit claiming disabled people are public enemy number one again. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted. And we do have a lovely new speaker in the House of Commons as a result.
It’s all a bit unsettling, really. I mean, the system as we know it is a bit of a mess, but all this not knowing how things will pan out in future is mildly alarming, even for a hard-hearted Bitch like me. But, readers, if you’re afraid of losing income, don’t be. I have a cunning plan. Let’s look at this logically. It would seem that being a disabled person may not be a lucrative career choice in the coming years. Yes, we’re all going to have to sell our gold-plated mobility aids and can no longer rely on the limousine services which arrive every morning to take us to our decadent chiropody appointments. Resources are limited. We’re going to have to cut back.
I’ve decided we should all get jobs. And I have found the perfect career. I’m giving up being disabled and I’m going to retrain. In this time of recession, one business is booming: the microscopic assessment of cripples, our lives and our incomes. I have decided to become one of these assessors. I, Disability Bitch, have volunteered my services to the government. It’s not settled yet, but should it all go according to plan, I will personally visit every disabled person in the country and check they are deserving of benefits, calculate how much money they need for shoes and taxis, make them justify every aspect of their existence and write lengthy nonsensical reports to the DWP on my findings.
I look forward to seeing you all, individually, in the coming years. It’s going to be fun.
It’s all a bit unsettling, really. I mean, the system as we know it is a bit of a mess, but all this not knowing how things will pan out in future is mildly alarming, even for a hard-hearted Bitch like me. But, readers, if you’re afraid of losing income, don’t be. I have a cunning plan. Let’s look at this logically. It would seem that being a disabled person may not be a lucrative career choice in the coming years. Yes, we’re all going to have to sell our gold-plated mobility aids and can no longer rely on the limousine services which arrive every morning to take us to our decadent chiropody appointments. Resources are limited. We’re going to have to cut back.
I’ve decided we should all get jobs. And I have found the perfect career. I’m giving up being disabled and I’m going to retrain. In this time of recession, one business is booming: the microscopic assessment of cripples, our lives and our incomes. I have decided to become one of these assessors. I, Disability Bitch, have volunteered my services to the government. It’s not settled yet, but should it all go according to plan, I will personally visit every disabled person in the country and check they are deserving of benefits, calculate how much money they need for shoes and taxis, make them justify every aspect of their existence and write lengthy nonsensical reports to the DWP on my findings.
I look forward to seeing you all, individually, in the coming years. It’s going to be fun.
MillsWatch
Apparently Heather Mills was on legendary daytime show This Morning this week. I didn’t watch it, but I gather she was talking about veganism. And herself. And her new restaurant. The Daily Mail wrote about it. Oh and why didn't they get a disabled presenter rather than that Holly ice dancing woman, as a replacement for Fern? Surely their audience is just crips?
Honest to god, stop wasting time on Facebook. If you’re online and have an opinion about the new green paper, don’t tell me about it, tell the government. There’s currently a consultation about what’s written in their green paper, and I think it’s important that individual disabled people put their opinions forward. Click here to tell them what you think - that's what this whole discussion document process is about. They want to hear from you.
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Dear Disability Bitch,
Hello, I like your blog very much. Like you, I shoot from the hip & admire everyone who does likewise. We need to take it to the frontline with these government nerds. I've only joined Ouch tonight, but I've posted a thread about the way we are being regarded as cashcows, being ripped off, our lives put at risk and the fact that government not only fails to implement the Law, they appear to actively encourage the pirate corporations to rip us off. In the last 3 years I have come across a very nasty pong along with an insidious form of subtle and not so subtle discrimination from, yeah, the government.
Keep on bitching girl, I'm right there beside you.
Regards
Motormama
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Well me dear Bitch.
It seems that at least you have cottoned on to the idea that our DLA is at risk and could vanish in yet more Gerrymandering of the Equality Landscape and the Economy.
Some will go quietly into the night, but at least we know we can rely upon Our Dear Bitch to head the battle cry of Give Me DLA, or Give Me Death.... but can I have a Bavarian Kreme Duffnut before I go?
The very Idea that the government wants more people to claim DLA, with it Billions not claimed, just supports the view that us crips are at the bottom of that massive Ponzi scheme called The British Economy. From what I can see, the only reason to have more claimants is to keep the unemployment figures down by creating more minicab drivers across the UK. Again it's us crips who are expected to create a wholesale growth in the British Economy. The one thing that keeps on coming up about DLA is how it's used for taxis and Whitehall suites have evidently picked up on this.
Mr Broone also wants peeps to buy new cars by scrapping old ones, and again the motive for more Mincabs is clear us crips need to use more taxis to save the British Car industry by DLA.
I can see there being real clashes if our DLA should end up being controlled by The SS. There you are needing a stair lift to get to the bathroom and your told it's not economic or sensible. You have use a minicab to get to a Public Convenience so that both minicab industry and the car production line are full supported and the economy saved. It may even lead to a wholesale improvement in accessible Public Conveniences - with taxi ranks outside.
Of course the Pensioners and the Grey Voters would be only too happy with this as they would also be getting taxied about the country on this new national service. Forget your bus pass its CabAbility for all.
I do fear this will also mean the end of Blue Badges as Minicabs will have the option to park anywhere, and it's likely that the New fleet of National Minicabs will all be blue anyway, as a national re-branding exercise. Or maybe they will all be red with a nice Rose Motif on the side
This centralisation of services and the economy harks back to a certain person's student days and a bit of Marxist ideology.
Using Hotel bathrooms for free seems to have an ominous air about it. No more OT's and wheel friendly wet rooms, just a Blue Mincab ride to the nearest Travel Lodge Express and you're told to use the free services and there is no complimentary shampoo either.
To avoid DLA being swallowed up in the whole Minicab Bonanza that will be used to replace North Sea Oil revenues, we should in fact look at the advice that has been given about our rights, the law and media manipulation.
"Counter-information is the key to success," & Direct action like squatting works because it attracts the Press."
As Written by Edinburgh University Student Rector, circa 1973 The Right Hon G Broone MA Phd MP PM.
Direct action and media attention are so important. As for squatting, that will have to be option. I can't even bend over to touch me knees, never mind a squat. The fleet of Minicabs may be no use to me either, but as with all things, some of us will have to be sacrificed for the greater good of the country.
Yours ProfessionalCripple
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Dear DB been reading your massive missives for ages
Thank you
you make me laugh and cry, get mad and shout out loud....
am a newbie to the forum just joined.
Couple weeks ago when out in Welling on my trusty scooter...
in Lidle, ok no ones perfect ;-)
got called a ''cripple with attitude'' and shouted at by a really ugly man
(who I had thought was a real looney out on parole)
told to ''get aht of mi way'' and
''you cripples with attichewd shood just get aht, and stay aht of mi way''''
So yes more crips with attitude, more direct action?..
'''Direct action and media attention are so important. As for squatting, that will have to be option. I can't even bend over to touch me knees, never mind a squat.... as with all things, some of us will have to be sacrificed for the greater good of the country.''' Thank you ProfessionalCripple
I cant squat either, but I can obviously wind up the mindless....booyah !
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It seems every year the goverment feels the need to make us feel worthless and a drain on the country .without DLA my life realy would not be worth living .to get through a normal day I need an electric wheelchair to live in my flat. mobility scooter for my daily escape for my mental health so I can keep the depresion at bay internet access for food shopping clothing sanatry products and above all contact with the outside world all these things cost a small fortune .I am told my local care home charge £700 a week to care for me if I chose to give up indipendent living .so I would like to point out that I am saving the country money .I also want to point out I worked for 20 years before my spina bifida finaly beat my into submision I 'm sick of been told I am a pain in the country's .....er neck I am not asking for world cruse's or big house's I just want to be able be warm in winter to eat healthy dry when it rains and to be able to leave my home at least once a day just to recharge my mental battery's.I just want to be able to deal with my everyday pains and problems without the imposed shame that the goverment and the media add to it.
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It seems every year the goverment feels the need to make us feel worthless and a drain on the country .without DLA my life realy would not be worth living .to get through a normal day I need an electric wheelchair to live in my flat. mobility scooter for my daily escape for my mental health so I can keep the depresion at bay internet access for food shopping clothing sanatry products and contact with the outside world.this all needs to be paid for .if the goverment want to save money the should pass a law that the word mobility does not mean you can inflate the price 1000%
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OOhh and Bitch - you missed the references on page 34 of the "Impact assessment" that was published in parallel to the Green Paper!
It seems that all Revenue Streams should be pooled to make sure that only the most needy get the limited Dosh!
But then again on page 37 they do admit, yet again that it seems many folks who should be getting DLA aint getting it - and so the figures are all up in that air!
Page 40 Risks talk about how younger people ( read none wrinkly) would be affected by their benefits being chopped pooled and doled out from the pot to cover everyone! ... and page 39 has quite a good reference too!
It seems that "equality", "younger" and "fair" are the key words to look for... and oddly they never appear in the same sentence as the the term DLA.
I'd binge on those Doughnuts now - cos unless they are an absolute care need - their days are numbered!
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maximum DLA = £120 approx.
Now just how much care will that buy me at SS rates?
8 hours?
That is if I got max DLA, which would mean I required 24 / 7 help and supervision.
It would be nice if "someone" could read the criteria for DLA and then do these basic sums.
You know, "someone" in Government, the ones who think that they are cleverer than us dim crips.
Yeah, I know that means reading and adding up, but I am happy to help the aforementioned someone with the bigger words, or the carrying over (above or below the line.)
168 hours of care and mobility for £120 quid? Bargain !
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