Latest news with #Carers'Allowance
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'Husband fell down stairs - now my hair is falling out and I can't afford food'
A mum has revealed the emotional and financial toll of caring for her husband after he suffered a 'terrifying' brain injury, she's calling on the government to offer more support for carers A mum has revealed the heartbreaking toll of her husband's 'terrifying brain injury as she calls for the government to offer more support for carers. Children's services worker Sherene Snowdon, 42, lives in Gloucestershire with husband Lee, 46, a former gas engineer and plumber; son Jake, 19 ,and daughter Paige, seven. She cares for Lee, who sustained a brain injury five years ago, and for Paige, who has SEN. She says: "I became a carer overnight on 16 March 2020, when Lee sustained a brain injury after falling down some stairs. Seeing Lee on life support was absolutely terrifying. I was told to say my goodbyes. I was told he wouldn't be able to walk or talk, but Lee has proved everyone wrong. Lee had been home for just three weeks when he had a stroke. "It was very stressful. My hair was falling out, I was surviving on two hours' sleep, juggling a teething baby, a young son and my husband's needs. I was told nurses would come to our home, but we never saw them. I became the sole provider for my family. Things are very tough financially. I had to sell our two cars. "There were times when I didn't eat because I needed to prioritise food for my husband and kids. I'd look for the cheapest options – such as pot noodles that cost £1. I work full time because I have no choice, so don't get carers' allowance. And I only see my friends once a year. Caring has had a huge impact on my mental and physical health. Carers need realistic, practical support and help." Unpaid carers are 50% more likely to live in poverty than the rest of the population, according to shocking new figures. The charity Carers UK says unpaid carers save the government a staggering £184 billion a year, yet 1.2 million are in poverty - 400,000 of them in deep poverty - while Carers' Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind at £83.30 a week. With approximately 12,000 people in the UK becoming unpaid carers every day, 43% of current or former unpaid carers have either developed a mental or physical health problem, or seen an existing condition worsen. And 40% of our estimated 24.9 million current unpaid carers have cancelled their own medical appointment, because of their caring roles. Speaking at the start of National Carers' Week, which runs until June 15, Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, tells The Mirror: "Many carers feel unrecognised and at a disadvantage – facing a greater risk of poverty, social isolation, poor mental and physical health." Highlighting the difficulties of working, while caring and urging the government to provide greater recognition and financial assistance for carers, she continues: 'An estimated 600 people a day give up work to care." Andy McGowan, Policy and Practice Manager for Young Carers at the charity Carers Trust, says young carers, caring for 35 hours a week or more, are 86% less likely to obtain a degree and 46% less likely to enter employment than their peers. He says: "It's so vital to ensure they get academic, pastoral and financial support at university, so caring is not a barrier to them achieving their huge potential". Carers are being affected up and down the country by the lack of financial assistance. Kate Crockford , 40, lives in Swanley, Kent, with husband George, 39, an audit manager, and their children Xander, 13, and Rowan, 10, who has the genetic condition tublinopathy. The condition causes profound learning disabilities and complex needs including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism and global development delay. A wheelchair user, he is visually impaired and has challenging behaviour, while Xander is deaf and has autism, ADHD and anxiety. Kate says: "The physical issues George and I have experienced from caring include sciatica, pulled muscles, twisted ankles, black eyes and broken glasses - from being kicked in the face - bites, kicks, pinches, slaps. "In 2017, due to overwhelming caring responsibilities, I ignored having the flu, which then was compounded by fungal pneumonia. By the time I got to A&E, I was barely breathing and was in intensive care by that night, very close to death. "Then, in 2021, due to a biological heart quirk, bacteria from a bite Rowan gave me travelled to my brain and I developed a brain abscess. In A&E they thought I had a brain tumour and I was rushed to London for an emergency craniotomy. "It resulted in a stroke, which paralysed me down the left side entirely. I was in hospital for seven weeks. I had to learn to walk again. My husband was left with the boys for the whole summer. "I now make a proper effort to keep my appointments. But my smear test is three years overdue and I haven't been to the hairdresser since 2019! Caring for Rowan and Xander is a full-time role. The Government needs to stop targeting the vulnerable. Carers' allowance is an insult." Only child Rebecca Green, 23, from Liverpool, is a young carer for her mum Anne, 55, who has rheumatoid arthritis. Rebecca was in her second year at university when, in March 2023, Anne suddenly developed mobility problems. As her dad Phil died suddenly in 2017, she became Anne's sole carer. Rebecca says: 'It's almost the parent-child relationship in reverse. "Getting Mum a diagnosis was a lengthy process. It took a year to get medication, which she had an adverse reaction to. I was back and forth between university and Mum, constantly worried. 'I deferred two essays and the stress impacted my third year too. I didn't graduate on time. It's still up in the air if I'll graduate this year. 'I think the Government needs to recognise the different forms caring can take and include more support and validation. As a carer, the freedom to choose gets taken away. I worry, will I have a job I want? Will I be able to move out and have kids? I don't know.' Young carers needing support should visit to find support in your area. Full-time carer Nikki Knight, 39, lives in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, with husband Ollie, 41 a teacher, and their children Sophie, 12, and Toby, 7, who has ADHD and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2022. He is currently recovering from a bone marrow transplant in January. Former social worker Nikki, who quit work in September 2023 to care for him, says: 'I've been coming to terms with Toby's diagnosis while navigating all the appointments, paperwork and healthcare plans. 'I live in fight or flight mode. From the moment I get up to the moment I go to sleep I'm on the go. I often fall asleep on the sofa - too tired to get to bed. 'I've delayed my follow up clinic and physio appointments after a fall, to fit in around his needs. My dental and eye check ups are overdue. Toby is clinically vulnerable. Only my husband and I are trained in central line care for him. We get Disability Living Allowance, but going from a two-income family to just one was a shock.' Author of 5 minute gratitude journal for oncology parents, Nikki blogs about her experiences Author and blogger Sarah Ziegel, 64, lives in Richmond, south west London, with husband Jonathan, 62, a government lawyer, and their four autistic children – twins Benjamin and Thomas, 26; Hector, 23 and Marcus, 16. Since she began caring, she has had a breakdown and developed adrenal fatigue, causing low energy, insomnia and digestive problems. As a carer, you are just surviving to care for your loved ones. she said "Adrenal fatigue results from years of living on adrenaline." 'I asked the GP for counselling but only got one session." she said "It isn't possible for me to work. The real issue for parent carers is that there is no one to take over and carers' allowance is so low it is an insult." 'My sons all live at home, but you can't claim housing or living costs for a child over 18. New Zealand pays family carers - why can't the UK?' *Sarah is author of Marching to a Different Beat about her family's autism journey. Self-employed ADHD coach Ana Bonasera, 33, from Oxford, is married to Jordan Hands, 31, and has five children. Four have SEN, or are awaiting diagnosis. Nathaniel, 12, is awaiting an autism and ADHD assessment; twins Jude and Luca, 11, have autism and learning disabilities; Spencer, 7, is awaiting an autism and ADHD assessment Daughter Mila, two, does not have special needs. Ana says: 'Being a parent-carer has definitely impacted my mental and physical health. Once, I was so overwhelmed I ran out in the street in my nightdress with no shoes on, desperately calling my dad. 'It's difficult asking for help – it took me seven attempts to call my doctor's surgery, but they couldn't help if I didn't want medication. Soon afterwards, I had a breakdown. It was the worst state I'd ever been in. 'I realisedI needed to help myself before I could help my kids. I had some hypnotherapy, some coaching and did lots of research to work out what triggers me. It's very hard juggling work with caring responsibilities. I can't work over the summer holidays, because of lack of provision for SEN children. Having a social life is almost impossible. My husband and I hardly ever go out. Now an ADHD coach, I want to make sure other carers don't feel unworthy of help.' During carers week Ana is running a free annual event dedicated to parent carers' wellbeing. Former mental health trainer Emma Amoscato, 43, from Bedfordshire, who has a daughter Amalia, 9, and son James, 12, was a carer for her husband Carl, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2017 and died in September. She now cares for James, who has AuDHD. Emma says: ''Being a carer can be all consuming. My son is autistic. I home educate, as the school couldn't meet his needs. This impacts my ability to work. I feel the ongoing stress of caring in my muscles and gut. It has affected my periods and my sleep. 'Carl had cancer for seven years. For the last 18 months, it was too hard for me to work. Carers' allowance is minimal. The Government needs to respect carers and see us as contributing members of society.'
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Her son bit her - hours later she was fighting for life with bacteria in brain
A mum has revealed the true toll of her 'ovewhelming' caring responsibilities and has called out the government for its 'insulting' Carers' allowance A mum has called the government's Carers' allowance an "insult" as she reveals the true toll of her "overwhelming" caring responsibilities. Kate Crockford , 40, lives in Swanley, Kent, with husband George, 39, an audit manager, and their children Xander, 13, and Rowan, 10, who has the genetic condition tublinopathy. The condition causes profound learning disabilities and complex needs including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism and global development delay. A wheelchair user, he is visually impaired and has challenging behaviour, while Xander is deaf and has autism, ADHD and anxiety. Kate says: "The physical issues George and I have experienced from caring include sciatica, pulled muscles, twisted ankles, black eyes and broken glasses - from being kicked in the face - bites, kicks, pinches, slaps. "In 2017, due to overwhelming caring responsibilities, I ignored having the flu, which then was compounded by fungal pneumonia. By the time I got to A&E, I was barely breathing and was in intensive care by that night, very close to death. "Then, in 2021, due to a biological heart quirk, bacteria from a bite Rowan gave me travelled to my brain and I developed a brain abscess. In A&E they thought I had a brain tumour and I was rushed to London for an emergency craniotomy. "It resulted in a stroke, which paralysed me down the left side entirely. I was in hospital for seven weeks. I had to learn to walk again. My husband was left with the boys for the whole summer. "I now make a proper effort to keep my appointments. But my smear test is three years overdue and I haven't been to the hairdresser since 2019! Caring for Rowan and Xander is a full-time role. The Government needs to stop targeting the vulnerable. Carers' allowance is an insult." Unpaid carers are 50% more likely to live in poverty than the rest of the population, according to shocking new figures. The charity Carers UK says unpaid carers save the government a staggering £184 billion a year, yet 1.2 million are in poverty - 400,000 of them in deep poverty - while Carers' Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind at £83.30 a week. With approximately 12,000 people in the UK becoming unpaid carers every day, 43% of current or former unpaid carers have either developed a mental or physical health problem, or seen an existing condition worsen. And 40% of our estimated 24.9 million current unpaid carers have cancelled their own medical appointment, because of their caring roles. Speaking at the start of National Carers' Week, which runs until June 15, Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, tells The Mirror: "Many carers feel unrecognised and at a disadvantage – facing a greater risk of poverty, social isolation, poor mental and physical health." Highlighting the difficulties of working, while caring and urging the government to provide greater recognition and financial assistance for carers, she continues: 'An estimated 600 people a day give up work to care." Andy McGowan, Policy and Practice Manager for Young Carers at the charity Carers Trust, says young carers, caring for 35 hours a week or more, are 86% less likely to obtain a degree and 46% less likely to enter employment than their peers. He says: "It's so vital to ensure they get academic, pastoral and financial support at university, so caring is not a barrier to them achieving their huge potential". Carers are being affected up and down the country by the lack of financial assistance. Children's services worker Sherene Snowdon, 42, lives in Gloucestershire with husband Lee, 46, a former gas engineer and plumber; son Jake, 19 ,and daughter Paige, seven. She cares for Lee, who sustained a brain injury five years ago, and for Paige, who has SEN. She says: "I became a carer overnight on 16 March 2020, when Lee sustained a brain injury after falling down some stairs. Seeing Lee on life support was absolutely terrifying. I was told to say my goodbyes. I was told he wouldn't be able to walk or talk, but Lee has proved everyone wrong. Lee had been home for just three weeks when he had a stroke. 'It was very stressful. My hair was falling out, I was surviving on two hours' sleep, juggling a teething baby, a young son and my husband's needs. I was told nurses would come to our home, but we never saw them. I became the sole provider for my family. Things are very tough financially. I had to sell our two cars. 'There were times when I didn't eat because I needed to prioritise food for my husband and kids. I'd look for the cheapest options – such as pot noodles that cost £1. I work full time because I have no choice, so don't get carers' allowance. And I only see my friends once a year. Caring has had a huge impact on my mental and physical health. Carers need realistic, practical support and help." Only child Rebecca Green , 23, from Liverpool, is a young carer for her mum Anne, 55, who has rheumatoid arthritis. Rebecca was in her second year at university when, in March 2023, Anne suddenly developed mobility problems. As her dad Phil died suddenly in 2017, she became Anne's sole carer. Rebecca says: 'It's almost the parent-child relationship in reverse. :Getting Mum a diagnosis was a lengthy process. It took a year to get medication, which she had an adverse reaction to. I was back and forth between university and Mum, constantly worried. 'I deferred two essays and the stress impacted my third year too. I didn't graduate on time. It's still up in the air if I'll graduate this year. 'I think the Government needs to recognise the different forms caring can take and include more support and validation. As a carer, the freedom to choose gets taken away. I worry, will I have a job I want? Will I be able to move out and have kids? I don't know.' Young carers needing support should visit to find support in your area. Full-time carer Nikki Knight, 39, lives in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, with husband Ollie, 41 a teacher, and their children Sophie, 12, and Toby, 7, who has ADHD and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2022. He is currently recovering from a bone marrow transplant in January. Former social worker Nikki, who quit work in September 2023 to care for him, says: 'I've been coming to terms with Toby's diagnosis while navigating all the appointments, paperwork and healthcare plans. 'I live in fight or flight mode. From the moment I get up to the moment I go to sleep I'm on the go. I often fall asleep on the sofa - too tired to get to bed. 'I've delayed my follow up clinic and physio appointments after a fall, to fit in around his needs. My dental and eye check ups are overdue. Toby is clinically vulnerable. Only my husband and I are trained in central line care for him. We get Disability Living Allowance, but going from a two-income family to just one was a shock.' Author of 5 minute gratitude journal for oncology parents, Nikki blogs about her experiences Author and blogger Sarah Ziegel, 64, lives in Richmond, south west London, with husband Jonathan, 62, a government lawyer, and their four autistic children – twins Benjamin and Thomas, 26; Hector, 23 and Marcus, 16. Since she began caring, she has had a breakdown and developed adrenal fatigue, causing low energy, insomnia and digestive problems. As a carer, you are just surviving to care for your loved ones. she said "Adrenal fatigue results from years of living on adrenaline." 'I asked the GP for counselling but only got one session." she said "It isn't possible for me to work. The real issue for parent carers is that there is no one to take over and carers' allowance is so low it is an insult." 'My sons all live at home, but you can't claim housing or living costs for a child over 18. New Zealand pays family carers - why can't the UK?' *Sarah is author of Marching to a Different Beat about her family's autism journey. Self-employed ADHD coach Ana Bonasera, 33, from Oxford, is married to Jordan Hands, 31, and has five children. Four have SEN, or are awaiting diagnosis. Nathaniel, 12, is awaiting an autism and ADHD assessment; twins Jude and Luca, 11, have autism and learning disabilities; Spencer, 7, is awaiting an autism and ADHD assessment Daughter Mila, two, does not have special needs. Ana says: 'Being a parent-carer has definitely impacted my mental and physical health. Once, I was so overwhelmed I ran out in the street in my nightdress with no shoes on, desperately calling my dad. 'It's difficult asking for help – it took me seven attempts to call my doctor's surgery, but they couldn't help if I didn't want medication. Soon afterwards, I had a breakdown. It was the worst state I'd ever been in. 'I realisedI needed to help myself before I could help my kids. I had some hypnotherapy, some coaching and did lots of research to work out what triggers me. It's very hard juggling work with caring responsibilities. I can't work over the summer holidays, because of lack of provision for SEN children. Having a social life is almost impossible. My husband and I hardly ever go out. Now an ADHD coach, I want to make sure other carers don't feel unworthy of help.' During carers week Ana is running a free annual event dedicated to parent carers' wellbeing. Former mental health trainer Emma Amoscato, 43, from Bedfordshire, who has a daughter Amalia, 9, and son James, 12, was a carer for her husband Carl, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2017 and died in September. She now cares for James, who has AuDHD. Emma says: ''Being a carer can be all consuming. My son is autistic. I home educate, as the school couldn't meet his needs. This impacts my ability to work. I feel the ongoing stress of caring in my muscles and gut. It has affected my periods and my sleep. 'Carl had cancer for seven years. For the last 18 months, it was too hard for me to work. Carers' allowance is minimal. The Government needs to respect carers and see us as contributing members of society.'
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Worrying' number of teens lose disability benefits
Teenagers with incurable conditions are among hundreds a week being stripped of disability benefits after their 16th birthdays. Nearly a third of those who received Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in childhood had claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rejected when trying to move to the adult benefit, BBC analysis has found. Disability charity Scope said a "complex, adversarial and difficult to navigate" system contributed to the rejections. With widespread benefits reform proposals expected within weeks, Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week called the current system "unsustainable, indefensible and unfair". The conditions most likely to result in a refused claim were those that may be managed more successfully by an adult than a child, like diabetes or asthma, experts said. But among those to have had claims rejected since PIP's introduction in 2013 are thousands living with life-changing conditions including cancer, blindness, psychosis, deafness and epilepsy. The 124,000 young people affected since then include Holly Crouch, who said the decision by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had left her feeling "like a burden" when "nothing changed but my age". She said she had been refused PIP when she applied as a teenager, despite providing evidence from specialists saying she was at risk of sudden, life-threatening epileptic seizures. Miss Crouch said the DWP had decided she no longer needed support because she had been seizure-free for several weeks. Holly's parents subsequently lost their Carers' Allowance payments but still have to provide constant supervision. The 21-year-old from East Sussex said: "My condition has not magically disappeared and I'm not faking this. "Everything was taken so quickly and I felt angry, neglected and like I hadn't been believed. It was so hard to deal with." Holly said she had lost three jobs because of her epilepsy and had to "rely on others for everything" without PIP. "I'll never feel like an adult as I can't do things everyone else is able to, like drive or work," she said. "My parents even have to be there when I shower or boil a kettle as I could have a seizure. "I understand there could be changes to conditions, but that's what reviews are for - you shouldn't just have your money stopped at 16 when you are not old enough for the process." James Taylor, Scope's executive director of strategy, said the number of young people losing out on financial support was "worrying". He called on the government to work with disabled people and "fix our broken welfare system". Starmer says benefit system unfair and indefensible How big is the welfare budget and where might cuts fall? Access All: Disability News and Mental Health Three-quarters of those deemed ineligible for PIP had failed the DWP's points-based assessment, according to BBC analysis. While appeals can be lodged and some people do receive higher awards under PIP than DLA, the BBC heard of young people refused benefits despite the significant impact of their disabilities on daily life. They include: Several who reportedly failed the assessment because they were able to work part-time or attend school or college A teenager with Down's syndrome who told his PIP assessor he could do everything he was quizzed about, but did not explain the intensive support he needed to do so A teenager with learning difficulties who said he could cook for himself but did not mention he had broken several microwaves in trying to do so Concerns were repeatedly raised about PIP assessors lacking knowledge of specific conditions and decisions being taken without recourse to medical evidence or contacting those involved in a claimant's care. Disability and welfare rights organisations say the system results in wrongful decisions, with DWP outcomes frequently overturned at tribunal. The Royal National Institute for Blind People, Epilepsy Society, the National Autistic Society and Contact are among those calling for rapid reform. • Personal Independence Payment is a benefit for over-16s with long-term physical or mental health conditions • It is not means-tested and aims to fund the extra living costs associated with having a disability • Assessments focus on how capable someone is of living independently and use a series of questions about daily activities • Points are awarded based on the individual's abilities and what help they need • Those points are added up to determine whether the threshold for a claim is met • A third party - like a parent or carer - can apply to represent someone without the capacity to do so themselves A recent Resolution Foundation report found the number of young people in receipt of disability benefits falls significantly between the ages of 15 and 17. The think-tank said the failure to qualify - or apply for - PIP was leaving many "facing a financial cliff-edge" as they approached adulthood. Fightback4Justice, which advocates for disabled people in the welfare system, has called for the process to be more transitional. Its founder, Michelle Cardno, said: "Young people are being treated as adults from the day they reach 16, when most do not understand the system." Sally Donley acted for her son Euan Hawes when he was invited to transition from DLA to PIP. She says she spent two hours talking with an assessor about the impact of Euan's disabilities, which include autism, obsessive compulsive disorder and sensory processing disorder. "His assessment was with a nurse who had no background in his issues and he ended up only scoring points for not mixing with others," said Ms Donley, from Hampshire. "Because I said he could cook eggs in the microwave, they said he could cook for himself and they said he goes to college independently - but it's a specialist college he travels an hour in a taxi to." Euan's claim was refused, but the decision was eventually overturned and he was granted PIP's highest rates when Ms Donley took the DWP to a tribunal. "The stress this puts on families is horrendous and cruel," she said. "You have parents trying to care for children with disabilities and they're having to take hours to gather evidence for court appeals. "They need to listen and they need to look at medical evidence." The government is being called upon to bring the rest of the UK in line with Scotland, where the transition to adult disability benefits can now take place at 18. Ms Donley, who supports those calls, added: "Euan's 18 now and I'm still fighting for him. I know I'll be fighting for him until my last breath." A DWP spokesman said: "Building on our Get Britain Working White Paper, we will bring forward proposals for reforming the health and disability benefits system within weeks, so that it provides children, young adults and their families with the support they need in a way that's fair on the taxpayer, and helps those who can work secure employment." More about this story The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the BBC and the News Media Association. Read more about the Local News Partnerships here. Children face 'lifetime cost' of council crisis Deadly new drugs found in fake medicines in the UK Burning rubbish now UK's dirtiest form of power DWP: Personal Independence Payment
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
PIP benefits: 'Worrying' number of teens lose payments at age 16
Teenagers with incurable conditions are among hundreds a week being stripped of disability benefits after their 16th a third of those who received Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in childhood had claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rejected when trying to move to the adult benefit, BBC analysis has charity Scope said a "complex, adversarial and difficult to navigate" system contributed to the widespread benefits reform proposals expected within weeks, Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week called the current system "unsustainable, indefensible and unfair". The conditions most likely to result in a refused claim were those that may be managed more successfully by an adult than a child, like diabetes or asthma, experts among those to have had claims rejected since PIP's introduction in 2013 are thousands living with life-changing conditions including cancer, blindness, psychosis, deafness and 124,000 young people affected since then include Holly Crouch, who said the decision by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had left her feeling "like a burden" when "nothing changed but my age".She said she had been refused PIP when she applied as a teenager, despite providing evidence from specialists saying she was at risk of sudden, life-threatening epileptic seizures. 'I'm not faking this' Miss Crouch said the DWP had decided she no longer needed support because she had been seizure-free for several parents subsequently lost their Carers' Allowance payments but still have to provide constant 21-year-old from East Sussex said: "My condition has not magically disappeared and I'm not faking this."Everything was taken so quickly and I felt angry, neglected and like I hadn't been believed. It was so hard to deal with." Holly said she had lost three jobs because of her epilepsy and had to "rely on others for everything" without PIP."I'll never feel like an adult as I can't do things everyone else is able to, like drive or work," she said. "My parents even have to be there when I shower or boil a kettle as I could have a seizure."I understand there could be changes to conditions, but that's what reviews are for - you shouldn't just have your money stopped at 16 when you are not old enough for the process."James Taylor, Scope's executive director of strategy, said the number of young people losing out on financial support was "worrying".He called on the government to work with disabled people and "fix our broken welfare system". Three-quarters of those deemed ineligible for PIP had failed the DWP's points-based assessment, according to BBC analysis. While appeals can be lodged and some people do receive higher awards under PIP than DLA, the BBC heard of young people refused benefits despite the significant impact of their disabilities on daily include:Several who reportedly failed the assessment because they were able to work part-time or attend school or collegeA teenager with Down's syndrome who told his PIP assessor he could do everything he was quizzed about, but did not explain the intensive support he needed to do soA teenager with learning difficulties who said he could cook for himself but did not mention he had broken several microwaves in trying to do soConcerns were repeatedly raised about PIP assessors lacking knowledge of specific conditions and decisions being taken without recourse to medical evidence or contacting those involved in a claimant's and welfare rights organisations say the system results in wrongful decisions, with DWP outcomes frequently overturned at Royal National Institute for Blind People, Epilepsy Society, the National Autistic Society and Contact are among those calling for rapid reform. What is PIP and how are claims decided? • Personal Independence Payment is a benefit for over-16s with long-term physical or mental health conditions• It is not means-tested and aims to fund the extra living costs associated with having a disability• Assessments focus on how capable someone is of living independently and use a series of questions about daily activities• Points are awarded based on the individual's abilities and what help they need• Those points are added up to determine whether the threshold for a claim is met• A third party - like a parent or carer - can apply to represent someone without the capacity to do so themselves A recent Resolution Foundation report found the number of young people in receipt of disability benefits falls significantly between the ages of 15 and think-tank said the failure to qualify - or apply for - PIP was leaving many "facing a financial cliff-edge" as they approached which advocates for disabled people in the welfare system, has called for the process to be more founder, Michelle Cardno, said: "Young people are being treated as adults from the day they reach 16, when most do not understand the system." Sally Donley acted for her son Euan Hawes when he was invited to transition from DLA to says she spent two hours talking with an assessor about the impact of Euan's disabilities, which include autism, obsessive compulsive disorder and sensory processing disorder."His assessment was with a nurse who had no background in his issues and he ended up only scoring points for not mixing with others," said Ms Donley, from Hampshire."Because I said he could cook eggs in the microwave, they said he could cook for himself and they said he goes to college independently - but it's a specialist college he travels an hour in a taxi to." 'Horrendous stress' Euan's claim was refused, but the decision was eventually overturned and he was granted PIP's highest rates when Ms Donley took the DWP to a tribunal."The stress this puts on families is horrendous and cruel," she said. "You have parents trying to care for children with disabilities and they're having to take hours to gather evidence for court appeals."They need to listen and they need to look at medical evidence."The government is being called upon to bring the rest of the UK in line with Scotland, where the transition to adult disability benefits can now take place at Donley, who supports those calls, added: "Euan's 18 now and I'm still fighting for him. I know I'll be fighting for him until my last breath." A DWP spokesman said: "Building on our Get Britain Working White Paper, we will bring forward proposals for reforming the health and disability benefits system within weeks, so that it provides children, young adults and their families with the support they need in a way that's fair on the taxpayer, and helps those who can work secure employment." More about this storyThe Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the BBC and the News Media more about the Local News Partnerships here.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
South West care homes join Westminster funds demo
Owners, managers and staff from care providers across the south-west of England have joined a national protest in London against tax rises and a funding shortfall affecting the sector. Providers Unite (PU), which organised the Westminster march, said living wage and national insurance rises had not been matched by increased government funding. This was putting pressure on care providers, members said. A Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson said the government "inherited significant challenges facing social care" and had taken action, including a £3.7bn "funding boost" and a £2,300 increase to the Carers' Allowance. The DHSC also said it had also introduced plans to make physical adjustments to 15,000 disabled people's homes to allow them to live independently and was introducing an "independent commission" to help futureproof the sector. PU, a grassroots organisation, which was founded last year after tax rises were announced, said: "Social care is the backbone of our communities, yet it's still critically underfunded." Devon care home chain owner Geoffrey Cox said a higher living wage was "a good thing" but had to be "funded by the government". "We are looking at an Everest of potential losses. I can't make the sums work," he said. He added he was "nervous" about the current state of social care and "there are a lot of worried people". Katrina Hall, from PU, said the march was "all about providers uniting" with one voice as care providers risked going out of business. She said: "We show up for the people we care about, we show up because we love what we do, and we're showing up today because we want to make a stand. "We need the sector to be valued." Naeem Ahmad, managing director of a care home in Portscatho, made the journey from Cornwall He said it was to make sure concerns of residents and staff were "seen and heard". He said: "Every person in parliament is a human being and I think if they can see what's going on - if they can and hear people's experiences - then funding will flow." Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, said she had spoken to local care providers who were struggling with "rising costs, rising fees and not enough money coming from local authorities". "If we don't address the crisis facing social care, then we're never going to address the crisis facing the NHS, because so many people are in hospital who don't need to be," she said. Voaden said the national insurance and living wage rises in last year's budget were "absolutely hammering" the sector. The DHSC said it recognised and valued "the huge contribution that adult social care providers deliver day in, day out, in communities all across the country". It said the government has "been honest about the scale" of challenges facing the sector and was "committed to tackling" them. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ First cross-party talks on social care reform postponed Social care sector 'will struggle' to cover costs Expansion of inspection of health and social care Department of Health and Social Care Providers Unite
