Universal Credit...

You can apply for a blue badge and each council has its own process. Where I live I've been told it will be very difficult to get it without benefits by my GP, but I am still going to try when I find the mental strength to. But even employers don't believe you're disabled unless you have a badge, and considering how many disabilities aren't just mobility related it's awful. The reliance on defining disability by a benefits system that is riddled with errors also needs to change. (and while the equalities act of 2010 does to some extent, you have to bring a company to tribunal to actually prove you should have been receiving any adjustment in the first place if they don't care to comply with it.) The accessibility day at Gatwick was so sad. We all had stories of the terrible treatment we've received because we can walk some, but not far and can't lift heavy items. But at least there they have undertaken training for all staff on invisible disabilities in the last few months so I hope it starts improving.  (Disability doesn't fit neatly into that quaint tick box system that is so prevalent in all aspects of life here.)

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The assessments for the disabled are an entirely separate can of worms, even for the existing benefits.

They were brought in in 2008 by the then Labour government, because of all the abuse. Berfore that they just filled in a form. It's the usual, too many people abusing get the rules changed.

But by rolling it all into one benefit I see it getting even worse, because in the areas of Universal Credit it already is.

Being talked about about in 2002 (?). Then that Labour government got voted out of power and all the next governments' have kept to that change by bringing in the new Welfare laws over the years. Those Welfare Reforms only became laws as they voted through by the MPs and the Lords.

ILE was then stopped for a foreign spouse because too many were claiming benefits when they arrived, even though they had never contributed their working taxes to the UK. Then under the welfare changes, a limit was brought in of 1 year for some sick benefits, if they were not on  Contribution Based benefits. Abusers always make it harder for the honest people because the rules have to be changed.

They were brought in in 2008 by the then Lanbour government, because of all the abuse: berfore thatr they just filled in a form. It's the usual, too many people abusing get the rules changed.

I have no issues with there being an assessment. At all. The way the UK has gone about it since austerity is the problem. Spend a few days in a group devoted to disabled people and you will understand my concerns.

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The assessments for the disabled are an entirely separate can of worms, even for the existing benefits. But by rolling it all into one benefit I see it getting even worse, because in the areas of Universal Credit it already is. Its a very dehumanising process riddled with errors.

That's not correct. Only Income Related ESA will be "rolling it all into one benefit" called Universal Credit because UC is a low income benefit and therefore is only replacing 6 low income based benefits.

Contribution Based ESA; or New Style ESA as it is now called:  is based on the claimants contributions to the UK. This is not a low income benefit and therefore will not be replaced by Universal Credit.

For "the disabled", there is the DLA benefit and it's replacement PIP. These are in work benefits and not low income benefits; therefore these will not be replaced by Universal Credit either.


Income Related ESA already has a time limit and that is nothing to do with Universal Credit. Whereas Contribution Based ESA does not seem to have a time limit because these claimants have been contributing to the UK.


https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit
What Universal Credit is
...
You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income or out of work.
...

Universal Credit will replace the following benefits:

    Child Tax Credit
    Housing Benefit
    Income Support
    income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
    income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
    Working Tax Credit

I have no issues with there being an assessment. At all. The way the UK has gone about it since austerity is the problem. Spend a few days in a group devoted to disabled people and you will understand my concerns.

I spend time with real people who can't work: family and friends. And it’s nothing to do with austerity. Under this system, they reduced the money given to those who will be able to work soon (those in the WRAG group of the ESA benefit) but they can can still claim other low income based benefits if they qualify. They gave more money to those who can't work (those in the Support Group of the ESA benefit). e.g. My nephew now gets more money under these changes and he is one of the many that does not ever need to go to an assessment because sadly, he will never be able to work.

Under the old system a decade ago, people were meant to report when they were better. They still have to under this system, but many now have to attend assessments too and they can thank the abusers for that change.

The same with the appliances money that some were given as extra. Those who need appliances like the new system better because they can now have as many as they need; whereas under the old system they were limited by the appliance money they were given. Those who don't like the new system are those who took that money, but never spent it on appliances as there were no checks.

Most people take out private insurance to avoid claiming benefits if they are sick because these pay more: a percentage of what their salary was. A friend of mine had been sick on a private policy for about 20 years, but even her insurers require her to have assessments. 

You can apply for a blue badge and each council has its own process. Where I live I've been told it will be very difficult to get it without benefits by my GP, but I am still going to try when I find the mental strength to. But even employers don't believe you're disabled unless you have a badge, and considering how many disabilities aren't just mobility related it's awful. The reliance on defining disability by a benefits system that is riddled with errors also needs to change. (and while the equalities act of 2010 does to some extent, you have to bring a company to tribunal to actually prove you should have been receiving any adjustment in the first place if they don't care to comply with it.) The accessibility day at Gatwick was so sad. We all had stories of the terrible treatment we've received because we can walk some, but not far and can't lift heavy items. But at least there they have undertaken training for all staff on invisible disabilities in the last few months so I hope it starts improving.  (Disability doesn't fit neatly into that quaint tick box system that is so prevalent in all aspects of life here.)

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I hope they do something like this for Heathrow. I know someone who was left sitting by an airplane door for an hour while trying to make connecting flights, there, and the outbound flight where she was waiting was boarding when someone finally asked her why she was there.  Someone did finally show up with a wheelchair and literally ran her through the airport with her suitcase on her lap to make the connection, just in time.  In, I believe, six trips involving Heathrow, something similar happened four times. Those are miserable statistics.  This individual goes out of their way now to make sure any flights involving the UK have nothing to to with Heathrow or Gatwick. And swears they'll never fly Virgin again.

I hope they do something like this for Heathrow. I know someone who was left sitting by an airplane door for an hour while trying to make connecting flights, there, and the outbound flight where she was waiting was boarding when someone finally asked her why she was there.  Someone did finally show up with a wheelchair and literally ran her through the airport with her suitcase on her lap to make the connection, just in time.  In, I believe, six trips involving Heathrow, something similar happened four times. Those are miserable statistics.  This individual goes out of their way now to make sure any flights involving the UK have nothing to to with Heathrow or Gatwick. And swears they'll never fly Virgin again.

The volunteer coordinator went to one at Heathrow terminal 5 last year. I had major issues with virgin as well, and right now don't know if I'll be able to fly with them again now that they are using a signature scent on planes. I also don't know if it will make a lasting difference but I feel like it can't get much worse than it's been!

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Even though I'm eligible for disabled benefits, I actually haven't applied for any of them because I've heard that the assessments are so awful and, as you've put, quite dehumanising.

And because it seems everything is based off having an eligible disabled benefit, that closes the door to some other benefits that aren't necessarily financial.  I'm lucky enough to work, so I'm not in dire need of extra funds.  But when DH drives us somewhere, it would be nice to be able to park close to where we are going so if I fall over, it's hopefully closer to the door of the establishment and not right in the middle of the car park.  But to get disabled parking, you need to be in receipt of PIP or similar.

My council approved my Blue Badge application while I was still on FLR(M) (i.e., not eligible for benefits) last year.  I didn't realize it was hard to get one without automatic eligibility through PIP.  After moving house and getting registered with my local GP, I just applied (without any assistance/advice from CAB, or anything).  I assume they checked with my GP (whom I'd seen all of once at that point), and my approval came in the post.

My council approved my Blue Badge application while I was still on FLR(M) (i.e., not eligible for benefits) last year.  I didn't realize it was hard to get one without automatic eligibility through PIP.  After moving house and getting registered with my local GP, I just applied (without any assistance/advice from CAB, or anything).  I assume they checked with my GP (whom I'd seen all of once at that point), and my approval came in the post.

Where I live it's quite hard (from the reports I've heard). My husbands cousin is an NHS nurse and laughed and said it was unlikely I'd be approved when I said I was going to apply due to the combo of asthma and mobility issues.  So it really depends on the council and how built up the area is.

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Where I live it's quite hard (from the reports I've heard). My husbands cousin is an NHS nurse and laughed and said it was unlikely I'd be approved when I said I was going to apply due to the combo of asthma and mobility issues.  So it really depends on the council and how built up the area is.

I don't know if my area is hard or not.  I am typically a clear-cut case, so I didn't even think to question it.  I just assumed I would be approved and I was.  I don't know anybody with disability/-ies in my council to compare with... and if I did, they'd probably be on DLA or PIP and automatically approved.

My council approved my Blue Badge application while I was still on FLR(M) (i.e., not eligible for benefits) last year. I didn't realize it was hard to get one without automatic eligibility through PIP. 

It isn't. My aunt (British citizen) got a Blue Badge and gets one every time she has to reapply every 3 years, but she isn't on any benefits. If the criteria is met for a Blue Badge, then it is given. A Blue Badge is not a Public Fund.

Some benefits are a passport for a Blue Badge, which means they have already met the criteria for a Blue Badge as long as they stay on that level of the benefit: these don't always get a BB for the maximim of 3 years. Others don't get the level  of that benefit that meets the criteria for a Blue Badge and therefore are not passported for a Blue Badge.

Where I live it's quite hard (from the reports I've heard). My husbands cousin is an NHS nurse and laughed and said it was unlikely I'd be approved when I said I was going to apply due to the combo of asthma and mobility issues.  So it really depends on the council and how built up the area is.

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I would apply and see what happens for yourself.  My SIL is a doctor with the NHS and I trust her opinion as far as I can throw her... so you know...  according to her, I'm unskilled labor.   

My SIL is a doctor with the NHS and I trust her opinion as far as I can throw her... so you know...  according to her, I'm unskilled labor.   

Maybe because as a doctor, she will be working with lots of people on the highly skilled visa: the Tier 2 General ?

Maybe because as a doctor, she will be working with lots of people on the highly skilled visa: the Tier 2 General ?

 

She's an odd duck.  She has no earthly idea what I do.  Or my husband.  Or my inlaws.  Or anyone other than herself.  I did just recently see her after over 4 years of her not attending a single family event.

Safe to say, she doesn't have a clue.  When I tell people who know me in real life that my SIL said I'm unskilled labor they laugh and laugh and laugh.   

She also believes that anyone who doesn't have a university degree is a low life.  She's great.   

Yeah, I think it depends on the council having read everyone's experiences.  My council really stresses that eligibility in their borough is largely based on being in receipt of PIP with the high mobility component.

What's the difference between Jesus and a Doctor? Jesus doesn't think he's a doctor!