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Labour spins out PIP voucher anxiety as it looks at consultation responses

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Labour is leaving millions of claimants in a state of anxiety as it reveals that it is looking at the responses to the Conservative’s green paper on PIP which suggested, amongst other things, the possibility of paying the benefit as vouchers rather than cash.

The Conservatives published a Green Paper on the future of PIP in April 2024.  Amongst the proposals were suggestions that instead of regular cash payments, PIP could be replaced with:

  • A catalogue/shop scheme
  • A voucher scheme
  • A receipt based system
  • One-off grants

The consultation period for the Green Paper ended on 22 July and we know that many of our readers took part and are desperate to know the outcome.

Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Thomas of Winchester tabled a question for the DWP in the House of Lords:

“To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to change the personal independence payment assessment.”

Yesterday, the answer came from Baroness Sherlock, the DWP minister in the House of Lords:

“We will be engaging with the responses people have made to the previous government's consultation on Personal Independence Payment, which closed on Monday 22 July.

“We want to thank the many people who invested their time in responding.

“We will be considering our own approach to social security in due course.”

The response by Baroness Sherlock makes it seem unlikely that there will be any official statement on PIP changes before the parliamentary summer recess, which lasts from 30 July until 2 September.

However, the House of Commons goes into recess again for the party conference season from 13 September until 6 October.

So, there is a real possibility that PIP claimants will be left without any news for several months.

Written questions by MPs to the secretary of state about the PIP consultation and about WCA changes have yet to receive answers.  We suspect that any responses will simply be stalling ones, but we’ll keep readers posted if we learn anything more.

 

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Ben T
    · 2 months ago
    I hate to say it but I think those with more severe issues will be less affected than those without, and those with more paperwork supporting their claims will find it easier. I have been trapped in a cycle for 20 years of being told I am unfit for work one minute, then fit for work the next. Every job I've had hasn't worked out, and not from the lack of trying either. 

    Having just been diagnosed with Complex PTSD, in addition to personality disorder, autism, adhd and other conditions, I know I'm not well enough to work, but will that stop them trying to force me into work? I doubt it based on experience. 

    The only difference is I have mental health professionals behind me now who have no doubt that I am unable to work, and doing so would carry more of a risk to my own mental health and wellbeing and potentially to that of others, as I have uncontrollable outbursts due to my PTSD. 


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Brian Marriott
      · 2 months ago
      @Ben T Everyone on pip will have money only voucher will be useless  I can’t work I can’t go out on my own I can’t follow rites 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Katy
    · 2 months ago
    Heartbreaking, and frankly, disgusting! Words escape me, because, let's be honest, we are not listened to!!!!!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Andy
    · 2 months ago
    Vouchers will leave me and my wife homeless.. we don't qualify for UC.. we don't work due to disabilities.. we live off PIP & Carers allowance.. and the PIP helps pay the rent.. without that we are homeless.. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ben Tanner
      · 2 months ago
      @A Maybe so, but some of us are more ill than others too. I have complex PTSD, autism, personality disorder, MADD, ADHD, severe tinnitus. I have tons of paperwork, psychiatrists that say me working would cause more harm to myself and potentially others due to my uncontrollable outbursts, so let them try. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      A
      · 2 months ago
      @Andy You should better worry about not vouchers but losing it in any form, as Liz Kendall is coming up with what it calls "Duty to Engage", which will force and require ALL disabled people and those on long term health conditions on benefits to have the duty to engage with jobcentres for job search on a regular basis, just like those who are looking for employment, and failure to comply with, they would lose their benefits. The WCA would also take place at jobcentres more frequently. She also said that benefit cuts were inevitable.

      So, her focus is far from paying PIP in vouchers, as vouchers too cost money. She's planning to force all people into employment whether sick, disabled, or not, and to justify her wicked plan, she keeps parroting that millions of people who want to work were written off sick without their consent by the Tories, which is very dishonest to claim such a falsehood.

      After all, she and Harriet Harman were the only Labour who voted for the austerity of Cameron and Osborn.

      This is not to scare anyone, as we're all in the same boat.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anon
    · 3 months ago
    Vouchers will just confine me to the house permanently. I rely on taxis to get around and will no longer afford them.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    SCD
    · 3 months ago
    This is the personal statement I gave at my PIP Tribunal. I hope others can relate?
    The experience of applying for PIP has been an overwhelming and learning experience.
    When I made my initial application, to be honest I admit that I didn't fully understand that it was based on how your diagnosis affects your daily living rather than just your diagnosis.
    More than a year later, preparing for this PIP Tribunal, I am able to clearly define the impact of my mental and physical health on my daily life.
    In simple terms, I have no life.
    I stopped living 9 years ago after suffering a psychotic break and planned suicide.
    Since my diagnosis I have been admitted 3 times to psychiatric facilities, I am medicated, taking upto 11 tablets a day, and I see a psychiatrist every 2 to 3 months for 30 minutes via Zoom.
    My mental health has not improved, instead there have been periods of serious deterioration. Through my self harm, my lack of self care, in addition to my mental illness my physical health has become a debilitating factor.
    I am stuck in a negative ongoing cycle. I am unable to help myself move forward or make any changes.
    PIP is defined as a payment for people who have extra care needs or mobility needs as a result of a disability.
    I need extra care and mobility support at this point in my life. I need to be able to pay for additional care that Wokingham council is unable to offer.
    With the support of a carer, I will be able to properly engage with services forqw my mental and physical health.
    Improvement in my mental and physical wellbeing will enable me with continued support to work on solutions to improve the quality of life for myself and my children.
    My hope is that receiving PIP now, and having the chance to make real changes will take away the responsibility that my children currently carry, and allow me to be the mother they want and need.
    I want to be a PIP success story, I want to start living again, I want to have my personal Independence.
    In 5 years when my PIP is assessed, I want to tell you that I have used my payments to improve all aspects of my life and that I am in a position to go forward alone.
    I want more for myself and my children than barely surviving. I need help now, I have lost 9 years. I need my remaining years to count
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    SCD
    · 3 months ago
    I don't understand, PIP is Personal INDEPENDENCE payment, but a voucher system takes away our Independence. It seems that I cannot be trusted to spend my allowance... I don't feel that I have to justify to anyone how I spend my allowance (I assume people think I spend it in booze, fags and Shein?). The voucher system just adds to the shame I am made to feel. You can't see my bi polar (diagnosed by a psychiatrist, not tik tok, and my heart failure with a 19% survival rate at 5 years) I lied about my mobility car to neighbours, and said my parents brought it, just to avoid the nasty comments. I get UC and PIp, I paid into the system for 30+ years and won't make it to my old age pension (That will save the government over £250,000 if I had lived to 80).
    I wish that people did their homework before labelling us as work shy scroungers. 
    My favourite comment so far has been "Should people on benefits be allowed 'nice' things?" 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MAIREAD
      · 2 months ago
      @SCD Totally agree with everything you say
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      mrfibro
      · 3 months ago
      @SCD Vouchers etc, versus cash payments.  Cash wins hands down for million of reasons, it's a no brainer.  But the government don't care if having vouchers takes away most, or all of our independence.

      If vouchers schemes etc wins, it will only cause, and put more unwanted pressure on the NHS, and also community / social care etc.  Bringing the entire shebang to a collapse.

      This will cost countless billions of pounds that labour will have to find.  Imagine all the millions of friends & family carers not caring / supporting claimants.  Basically the truth is the government has got claimants on the cheap, and they know it.

      And they have the gaul to won't to condemn people to have more isolation, no independence and to become more ill, or die!

      My thoughts on labour are they don't know their left elbow from their right.  They have got their priorities completely wrong.



  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Leeds oldie
    · 3 months ago
    Not feaseable, will not work ,how are we the disabled who have a mobility vehicle, going to get around ,on the local bus ? trains?taxes? Why are the dianled being attacked in this way ,it was brought in by a labour government for the very reason people NEEDED IT, we know the tories hate the disabled, but not to come out and say NO! How hard is that .
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ben T
      · 2 months ago
      @Andy I've not worked for the same amount of time, just been diagnosed with Complex PTSD too, in addition to autism, adhd, personality disorder etc. It could also leave me in a tent too. I'm just under 40 myself, so even worse at my age as they'll think I can still work for 20 + years yet. Never been able to hold down a job, always had the attitude of trying to work, never wanted to rely on benefits, but hasn't stopped them trying to force me into work over the years though. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Andy
      · 2 months ago
      @Leeds oldie We would have to live in a tent.. We can't claim UC We are not eligable... Can't get new ESA either as not worked for 5 years due to disabilities.. and can't claim private pension until I am 55.. (Now I am 47).. We would have to beg and scrounge.. live on handouts and whatever we could forrage for
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Brian Marriott
    · 3 months ago
    Pip is only for money only not voucher voucher will never work so keep it as money 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    H C
    · 3 months ago
    Only people with no experience of severe disability would suggest a voucher scheme instead of cash payments for PIP. For so many people it just wouldn't work, due to the nature of their disability. It's just one more slice of hell for people with severe disabilities to be force fed by the government. It's about time the government stopped treating us like easy targets, got off our backs, gave us the support we needed and allowed us to get on with our lives in peace, free from the continual burden of stress consecutive governments have put us under. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Daisy
      · 2 months ago
      @H C Your right we are living in Hell and it keeps getting deeper...some days I wish there was a big red button to press, so I could end it all... but im no quieter...disabled or not I make it work.

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Dave W
    · 3 months ago
    A voucher scheme may amount to discrimination for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010.  However, the government may over come this with primary legislation.  A voucher scheme would not be inline with obligations under the Human Rights Convention and there is nothing the government can do to overcome that.  *Probation form toucher, humiliating and degrading treatment," a voucher scheme is humiliating and degrading, for vulnerable people.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Daisy
      · 2 months ago
      @Johnny That's disgraceful...I hope you got mobility in the end...
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Johnny
      · 2 months ago
      @mrfibro I agree pip was the most embarrassing thing i have every been through i had a stroke and they said cant get the mobility part as i have a zimmer frame  but its not suitable for stairs to get to bedroom told me to crawl up on stay downstairs
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      stefan
      · 2 months ago
      @Dave W 100% agree voucher scheme just going to discriminate.

      It's also going to force autistic people myself more way from social society when i am try to become more social. 

      Paying with vouchers would be embarrassing as you can guarantee they wouldn't work online. 

      I do everything online because of my anxiety everything else. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      mrfibro
      · 3 months ago
      @Dave W I agree, but you could say the same about WCA's & PIP assessments etc.  They too are extremely humiliating and degrading.  But the goverment/s still do it, and strill keep getting away with it.  The question begs why?   why = coz no one is there to stick up for claimants, it's that simple.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Human rights
    · 3 months ago
    14 years of institutional abuse and harassment and hate, mind games and the United Nations raptor been involved and the Tory government dragged to New York UN to answer to 2 counts of breaking international law on human rights against the disabled in uk . And this previous government leaving people in to destitute and deaths caused by 14 years of hell. And Mel strides planned Green paper, has been deliberately pushed out , because he knew the Tory’s was going to lose the General Election. To still leave his and the Tory’s mark after they are long gone , just to exstend the pain and suffering and misery and mental health, with a longer timeline into labours rain , and after voting labour. The labour government still keep this evil system of institutionalised disgrimation and pain and determination deterioration the peoples health and well-being ongoing on a jog Off for some holiday recess disgusting behaviour by labour.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    big willie Williams the 3rd
    · 3 months ago
    this is a joke only reason laber got back in was people on benefits voting  against the benefits shake up it was hard enough getting on the benefits I have to be told vouchers are coming in to play if am disabled not by choice I should be able to spend my money by choice smh pfffft
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    J fisher
    · 3 months ago
    That is a stupid idea. My son needs that money to live his life. He is severely disabled, don't know who comes up with these ideas .things are hard enough without making them worse. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Linda c
      · 2 months ago
      @J fisher And they say we will have to put receipts in to claim money back but where do we get that money from in the first place if they’ve taken PIP away ?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      mrfibro
      · 3 months ago
      @J fisher The morons who come up with these ideas, are generally people who have privileged lives, and have never had any hardship or disabilities at all.  They can't seem to out fathom out why disabled people need PIP money.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Adie
    · 3 months ago
    I can't leave my home due to life long chronic ocd!!
    How's food vouchers going to help??
    Its ridiculous the old and the disabled always gets hit hard financially!!
    Like we plan to be disabled or to get old!! Please leave us alone!!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sue
    · 3 months ago
    My PIP pays for my Carers as I’m disabled.  With this development my anxiety levels are hitting an all time high.  I seriously
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Gute
    · 3 months ago
    What does it mean
    Travel voucher 
    Food voucher 
    Gas and electricity voucher 
    Clothes voucher 
    And more bibs and bobs
    I am actually impressed 
    Because it will give more money 
    That way...
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ben T
      · 2 months ago
      @Brian Marriott But how will vouchers pay for gas, electricity, food, internet and rent? Do those with more mental health based issues not still have these outgoings?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      kim
      · 2 months ago
      @mrfibro Very, but do you think this government gives a dam I don't

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Lauren wood
      · 2 months ago
      @Gute No it would only be for carers disabled appliances or home improvement grants 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      mrfibro
      · 3 months ago
      @Brian Marriott How humiliating would that be to shop with vouchers.  
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon
      · 3 months ago
      @Anon Exactly, and judging by how people are reacting, and then there's all the disability groups and laws protecting disabled people, it would be a sh** storm if they tried to push this forward.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Dave
    · 3 months ago
    Well if that's the case why don't the government get their wages paid in vouchers because the government can commit fraud and get away with it without getting prosecuted. What do they spend their money on so why can't they get paid in vouchers because at least we ain't Commiting fraud like the government do they should be paid in vouchers. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Carl craddock
    · 3 months ago
    Most likely cost more to pay pay in vouchers than cash.. Can see a black market opening for selling vouchers for less than their face value. Which in the UK the long run would probably save more money than using preapproved stores. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon
      · 2 months ago
      @mrfibro This is going going to cost them millions of pounds to set up, design and everything thing.

      After all that is done, they need to her shops on board and alot of places will refuse to do this or charge higher prices. 

      Along with they would have to do some form of online system to use these. 

      I can see labour getting major back lash from this along with likely human right evolved. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon
      · 2 months ago
      @Carl craddock There was another country who did voucher style scheme at one point and black market did happen.

      My understanding they dropped the system. 

      It's a stupid system and labour just going to get them self more hate from disabled community. 

      They pledge all this help while there is other problems with the system getting any free mental health is w joke. 

      Voucher is just pure embarrassment and i would rather go volunteer out in Ukraine and risk my own life then be given vouchers and be embarrassed to use them. 

      Would at least be treated better then current government who want to just punish disabled. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      mrfibro
      · 3 months ago
      @Carl craddock More likely vouchers will be commissioned by the Royal Mint.

      The cost to design, setup, implement, and maintain such a scheme is going to cost hundreds of millions of pounds.

      Labour is moaning about the Tories spending poke like there's no 2morrow.  But labours only doing the same.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Si
    · 3 months ago
    Scrapping pip is so stupid if you can't use public transport and have to plan a journey to the letter and you have a full time carer.
    The way disabled people are being treated is so wrong in so many ways.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Mik
    · 3 months ago
    My best guess is pip will become means tested, and/ or  taxable. The voucher thing is totally rediculous. I don’t think Motability will be impacted, it’s a real success.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      cc
      · 3 months ago
      @Mik
      Vouchers probably wont be happening, its a distraction thats taken all the focus.

      Given what was done with the winter fuel allowance, I think they are probably considering means testing, with a potential adjustment to the assessment process.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      mrfibro
      · 3 months ago
      @Mik If it's to be taxable, then PIP rates need to go up.  Junior Doctors 22% pay rise, and there's been some talk about the Junior Doctors are not too happy with that.  Because labour more likely will put up taxes.  Meaning their 22% pay rise will be deflated.


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon
      · 3 months ago
      @Mik Of course it will,if they take it off people with a meagre 16k in savings and that's nothing these days motorbility will have half the clients they had before,if those people then gad to go out and buy a car,say 10k then they'd be eligible again for pip,what a load of hassle and a load of rubbish ,the time wasted and the trouble trying to get pip back after a reduction in savings, it's unworkable 

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