Government ‘has stripped Paralympians of their Motability vehicles’

http://www.disabledgo.com/blog/2016/...lity-vehicles/

Paralympians heading to Rio next week have lost their Motability vehicles after being reassessed as part of the government’s programme of benefit cuts and reforms, a member of the ParalympicsGB team has revealed.

Some Paralympians have spoken previously of the importance of the support they receive from the benefits system, particularly through disability living allowance (DLA), but this is the first confirmation that any of them have lost that support as a result of the government’s austerity programme.

Surely this is another unintended consequence?

[nomadking]

Asked how removing a Motability vehicle from a Paralympian training for Rio would have helped their medal efforts, a Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said: “This question is unfounded. “Decisions on Motability are made based on claimants’ individual needs and after consideration of all the evidence, including an assessment and information provided by the claimant and their GP.

Nothing to do with whether they are a Paralympian or not.

From the link...

The 20-year-old said he knew of fellow Paralympians who have already lost their Motability cars after being reassessed for PIP.

He said: “There have been Paralympians who have been told that they are too able to claim Motability and they have had to fight to get the cars back because they have been taken off them.

“I don’t know too much about it, I haven’t spoken to them about it because that’s a personal matter for them, but it’s something I’m a little bit concerned about.”

He said he was not comfortable providing further details about colleagues, and could not say how many fellow team-members had lost their Motability vehicles, but added: “All I know is anyone with disabilities is getting assessed at the moment, so it’s a possibility for any of us.”

Originally Posted by nomadking

Nothing to do with whether they are a Paralympian or not.

That's why I said unintended consequences..I'm pretty sure the government wants us to shine at the Paralympics as well as at the Olympics..

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by nomadking

Nothing to do with whether they are a Paralympian or not.

I agree, there are other disabled people being re-assessed for entitlement to PIP. Paralypians are not being singled out and yes there will be some who do lose their mobility cars just the same as the rest.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by pip08456

I agree, there are other disabled people being re-assessed for entitlement to PIP. Paralypians are not being singled out and yes there will be some who do lose their mobility cars just the same as the rest.

The rest of those who are still on DLA will be re-assessed for PIP over the next 24 to 36 months according to the latest information.

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by denphone

The rest of those who are still on DLA will be re-assessed for PIP over the next 24 to 36 months according to the latest information.

Of course, that was my point. It is happening to all on PIP not just paralympians. I don't say I agree with it but no disabled people are being treated any different.

Originally Posted by pip08456

Of course, that was my point. It is happening to all on PIP not just paralympians. I don't say I agree with it but no disabled people are being treated any different.

I don't think I even argued that..I'm just suggesting that not every situation has been thought about.

Either we want everyone to be part of our society,contributing in whatever manner they can and perhaps actually adding to the society they reside in or we don't.Just treating any group as one homogeneous mass won't work. There has to be some way to help them but I guess it's going to be left to some charitable organisation or sponsorship but how much is available to provide mobility like a specially adapted transport I'm not sure. It's not like I see a lot of wheelchair users on public transport.

[rogerdraig]

the re assessment process ( i have just been through it ) is daft and a lot of it depends on how you fill out the form and that's not as simple as it sounds as you have think about answering the question that should have been asked and not the one printed on the form and then on at interview doing the same thing ignoring the questions and answering what the rules as set out in the legislation ask of you. faliure to do that will end up with loss of part or whole of the allowance.

just for example and i expect what is happening a lot of the time your are asked how far you can walk

a simple thing you would assume but if you say you can go over 20 meters you will lose the car but that is not the real question the real question is can you walk over 20 meters reliably consistently and in a safe manner and with out pain

i expect a lot either because they are not aware of the above answer yes and then try and explain or because they don't want to look weak ( you would be suprised ) answer yes

its not a fair system as it is intentionally deceptive only those who really look though the legislation or have access to good help get through it of course the very very few who intend to cheat know all the right answers so i doubt many of them are affected at all

[dilli-theclaw]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I don't think I even argued that..I'm just suggesting that not every situation has been thought about.

Either we want everyone to be part of our society,contributing in whatever manner they can and perhaps actually adding to the society they reside in or we don't.Just treating any group as one homogeneous mass won't work. There has to be some way to help them but I guess it's going to be left to some charitable organisation or sponsorship but how much is available to provide mobility like a specially adapted transport I'm not sure. It's not like I see a lot of wheelchair users on public transport.

Before I was in a wheelchair and was on the bus it would often just drive by wheelchair users on the side of the road as they didn't want to get the ramp out.

Since I've been in the chair I don't even try public transport.

[denphone]

And another thing is many bus drivers won't tell people who are in the disabled wheelchair spaces to move as well when these places are meant for disabled wheelchair users.

[Kursk]

Do the CF members here who are in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of DLA feel that paralympians, athletes, should qualify for the same benefit as they do?

Is it relevant that by definition, they are very mobile, possibly already receive UK Sport, Lottery and sponsored funding to enable them to participate in a chosen career whilst many young ambulant people are scrambling around to get a job, to buy a car, buy a home and raise a family?

I've never seen anyone actually able to get a wheelchair on a bus ,even the buses that lower to the pavement ,all seems highly impractical to me .

[dilli-theclaw]

Originally Posted by martyh

I've never seen anyone actually able to get a wheelchair on a bus ,even the buses that lower to the pavement ,all seems highly impractical to me .

I have done it on a bus just not a public transport bus. I have seen wheelchairs get on / off too but as I said the main objection (from the driver) was the amount of time it took.

Originally Posted by Kursk

Do the CF members here who are in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of DLA feel that paralympians, athletes, should qualify for the same benefit as they do?

Is it relevant that by definition, they are very mobile, possibly already receive UK Sport, Lottery and sponsored funding to enable them to participate in a chosen career whilst many young ambulant people are scrambling around to get a job, to buy a car, buy a home and raise a family?

Yes ,because many people on DLA do work .As i understand the payment it is to aid with expenses incurred due to a specific disability to enable recipients to go out to work or live something approaching a normal life