There’s less than a month left to run for submissions to the DWP’s consultation on DLA reform. The first draft of The Broken of Britain’s submission was posted on this forum a few weeks ago. The response has been incredible, with over 100 replies to my call for evidence and ideas. I have compiled this into a second draft which is posted on our forum. I have tried my best to reflect all your views in the document. Even if you were not quoted directly, your evidence did contribute fundamentally and I thank you sincerely. I now need you tell me how I’ve done, and to criticize it thoroughly.
2nddraftDLA document
This second draft of The Broken of Britain’s submission to the Public Consultation on DLA reform still requires your input. Being an user-led group, we are interested in everything you have to say, even if you have never been on our blog or forum before. Read what we’ve written, take bits out, put new bits in, tell us what you like and don’t like, and tell us if you disagree with us – we just want to make sure that we’re accurately putting your views across.
On testimonies, we still need:
• A paragraph long testimony from DLA claimants who are enabled to work because of DLA
• A paragraph from a claimant who is chronically ill and will not ‘get better’ about why re-testing every few years is a waste of their time
• A paragraph about why you think DLA is fit for purpose
• A paragraph explaining why three rates of Care component is easier to understand than two (i.e. if you have medium care needs, how do you choose?)
• Why renaming the benefit PIP will not change your life
• A paragraph about the barriers to life that you face because of disability or illness?
• A paragraph on ‘[things] about DLA that should stay the same’.
• A paragraph on the main extra costs you face due to disability or illness.
• A paragraph about what would happen to you if you went down from Middle to Lower rate of Care (losing up to £29.85 a week).
• A paragraph about the broad range of specific activities that you consider essential to your life.
• A paragraph on how DWP can appropriately take account of variable and fluctuating conditions
You are welcome to post replies on this blog, on the forum, or to e-mail rhydian@thebrokenofbritain.org
Please help us to submit a document worthy of your support!
CarerWatch Blog 
19 January 2011 at 04:53 |
Although the initial intention was to boycott this as the “consultation” is not fit for purpose, we will contribute something to this submission.
19 January 2011 at 15:37 |
I’ve just read the 2nd draft and you seem to have covered all basis and then some. I responded to the consultation individually and felt the same cynicism about the wording of many of the questions.
Many thanks to you and to everyone else
19 January 2011 at 16:05 |
I still think its an insult, its like asking Turkeys if they want to be shot or decapitated, and then going on to ask them what they think are the merits of each etc.
19 January 2011 at 17:16 |
@ Ian. The consultation gives you an opportunity to say ‘actually we don’t want either.’ To say ‘Actually DLA is fine as it is.’ It also gives you an opportunity to expose and highlight the hidden agenda, and to express your own experiences of disability and what it means to you. OK, it’s probably only lip service and they’ll go full steam ahead anyway but if nobody opposes it then they’ll just see that as tacit agreement to the changes
20 January 2011 at 05:00
I think we should concentrate on this:-
“Feedback on this consultation
14. We value your feedback on how well we consult. If you have any comments on the process of this consultation, for example, how it could be improved, but not about the issues raised, please contact our Consultation Coordinator:
Roger Pugh
DWP Consultation Coordinator
1st floor, Crown House
2, Ferensway, Hull HU2 8NF
roger.pugh@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
15. In particular, please tell us if you feel that the consultation does not satisfy the Government Code of Practice on Consultation, or if you have any suggestions
about how our consultation process could be improved further.”
19 January 2011 at 16:13 |
I’m in a wrong timing situation – because we had DLA before we moved to Greece and now we’ve moved back we need to claim it again – I have the forms sitting in the living room waiting 😦
Just filling the forms in is a horrible necessary task. I remember being depressed for weeks after the last lot and I am dreading it this time as I already have a stress related illness – and I’m not even the one claiming – it is for my relatives! Ironically I’m the ‘healthy’ one!
I don’t even know if it worth the effort because given all the publicity regarding cuts – will we even get anything this time? Very, very depressing.
20 January 2011 at 04:51 |
Its not happening until 2014 so its still worth claiming. Use the online claim system its easier as you can save drafts and continue when you feel able or when you can add pieces of information from your GP and specialists.
The online claim system is here
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice/
Start the service and follow the instructions.
You will find it a lot less hard work than writing the form out with a pen!
19 January 2011 at 19:01 |
“A paragraph from a claimant who is chronically ill and will not ‘get better’ about why re-testing every few years is a waste of their time”
Testimony
I have PPMS (primary progressive multiple sclerosis). I was awarded the DLA Lower Rate Care component, along with Higher Rate Mobility component, over 10 years ago. The disease Is progressive. It’s downhill all the way. 2 years ago I was awarded the Higher Rate Care component, and therefore I am now on the maximum DLA possible.
It’s never going to be better than this. In fact, as it has done every year since 1999, it’s going to get worse. What, then, is the point of re-testing someone like me, or someone with Motor Neurone, or Alzheimers, or Parkinsons? Thanks to the wisdom of the previous regime, this was recognised, and I was awarded DLA ‘for life’, and the need to submit medical certificates for Incapacity Benefit was waived years ago.
This removed some stress from me and allowed me the freedom to cope with my worsening condition, and to find the time and strength to deal with each new obstacle and barrier thrown up by the disease. Why would anyone think it a good idea to re-subject me to that stress (of re-testing), which would actually make my condition worse, quicker? As for work, I have a full-time job already. It’s called “coping with MS on a day to day basis”.