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Means testing
- phrank
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2 years 2 months ago #274972 by phrank
Replied by phrank on topic Means testing
Hi all,
I'm with Kevin9320 on this one.
After a lot of thinking I, too believe the only way the DWP would possibly get away with this would be to leave well alone with existing claimants and target new claimants - a bit like they did with the work related activity group of ESA several years ago.
As for existing claimants with end dates? I dread to think but surely they couldn't check for savings etc before their next assessments?
I have also written to my MP on the issue and beg all other forum users to do the same. The more people who do this, the harder it will be to implement although I am still of the opinion it won't happen.
Regards,
Phrank.
I'm with Kevin9320 on this one.
After a lot of thinking I, too believe the only way the DWP would possibly get away with this would be to leave well alone with existing claimants and target new claimants - a bit like they did with the work related activity group of ESA several years ago.
As for existing claimants with end dates? I dread to think but surely they couldn't check for savings etc before their next assessments?
I have also written to my MP on the issue and beg all other forum users to do the same. The more people who do this, the harder it will be to implement although I am still of the opinion it won't happen.
Regards,
Phrank.
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- Gary
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2 years 2 months ago #274977 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Means testing
Hi phrank
Just a quick observation, DWP already has access to many data base's such as savings & pensions, I have on a number of times when helping claimants claim pension credits, to be told that the claimant had a pension they had forgotten or a saving plan from many many years ago.
One claimant I was helping had over £8k in a britannia savings a/c which she had no knowledge of, she took it out in the 70's when her life was hectic, in an abusive relationship and had forgotton all about it, needless to say when she found out, she was still eligible to claim PC as the savings were below £10k but she and her partner had a very nice holiday.
I therefore warn claimants that DWP can access a lot of information and numerous data base's.
Gary
Just a quick observation, DWP already has access to many data base's such as savings & pensions, I have on a number of times when helping claimants claim pension credits, to be told that the claimant had a pension they had forgotten or a saving plan from many many years ago.
One claimant I was helping had over £8k in a britannia savings a/c which she had no knowledge of, she took it out in the 70's when her life was hectic, in an abusive relationship and had forgotton all about it, needless to say when she found out, she was still eligible to claim PC as the savings were below £10k but she and her partner had a very nice holiday.
I therefore warn claimants that DWP can access a lot of information and numerous data base's.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- phrank
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2 years 2 months ago #274978 by phrank
Replied by phrank on topic Means testing
Hi Gary,
Yes I suppose I'm aware of the capabilities of the DWP but sort of let it slip my mind.
Thanks for putting me in the picture fully. It still would be a mammoth task (and costly) to implement such a change of this scale and would not go down well with the majority of the general population.
As for the next General Election? Well, I think we all know what the outcome will be whether they try to do the dastardly or not.
Regards,
Phrank.
Yes I suppose I'm aware of the capabilities of the DWP but sort of let it slip my mind.
Thanks for putting me in the picture fully. It still would be a mammoth task (and costly) to implement such a change of this scale and would not go down well with the majority of the general population.
As for the next General Election? Well, I think we all know what the outcome will be whether they try to do the dastardly or not.
Regards,
Phrank.
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- Kevin9320
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2 years 2 months ago #274997 by Kevin9320
Replied by Kevin9320 on topic Means testing
I am seeing mixed reactions to this means-testing idea on social media. On the one hand there is a general objection to targeting vulnerable people in this way. But there are also voices of approval along the lines that people with savings don't need financial support from the DWP.
If financial support for people with savings who are already on PIP is withdrawn, their savings will dwindle and they will quickly or eventually qualify for means-tested support again (unless they are very well off!) Would they then have to re-apply for PIP and go through the process again?
If you are a new PIP applicant with some savings and are denied initially by means-testing, again the savings will dwindle and you will qualify at a later date.
In the meantime both groups of people will endure additional stress and anxiety on top of the problems they already have to deal with.
Seems a bit pointless really, not to mention toxic politically - which I suspect would be of greater concern to the government.
Interested to hear what others think about this
If financial support for people with savings who are already on PIP is withdrawn, their savings will dwindle and they will quickly or eventually qualify for means-tested support again (unless they are very well off!) Would they then have to re-apply for PIP and go through the process again?
If you are a new PIP applicant with some savings and are denied initially by means-testing, again the savings will dwindle and you will qualify at a later date.
In the meantime both groups of people will endure additional stress and anxiety on top of the problems they already have to deal with.
Seems a bit pointless really, not to mention toxic politically - which I suspect would be of greater concern to the government.
Interested to hear what others think about this
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- phrank
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2 years 2 months ago #275144 by phrank
Replied by phrank on topic Means testing
Hi All,
Read into this what you will: the Minister for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove, has been quoted as saying by the Mirror that the DWP have no plans to make PIP or other similar benefits means tested (the quote was from today the 15th).
He also added that PIP has never been means tested.
I don't have full access to the full report at this late hour so if any members would like reassurance then a quick google search should pop up the short article.
Not a cast iron guarantee, I know, but it sounds more optimistic.
Time will tell.
Sleep well.
regards,
Phrank.
Read into this what you will: the Minister for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove, has been quoted as saying by the Mirror that the DWP have no plans to make PIP or other similar benefits means tested (the quote was from today the 15th).
He also added that PIP has never been means tested.
I don't have full access to the full report at this late hour so if any members would like reassurance then a quick google search should pop up the short article.
Not a cast iron guarantee, I know, but it sounds more optimistic.
Time will tell.
Sleep well.
regards,
Phrank.
The following user(s) said Thank You: denby, Kevin9320, BIS
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