Except, of course, that is what it's like. Take the proposed changes to the PIP assessment announced just before the budget. You might wonder how changing the score for a couple of descriptors from 2 points to 1 could possibly impact over 600,000 disabled people and cut the PIP budget by a predicted £4 billion.
Here's one scenario:
Barry lives alone and no-one claims Carer's Allowance for looking after him, although his grown-up children take it in turns to take him shopping, do his housework and check on him. He gets PIP at the standard rate for daily living of about £55 per week. He scored 8 points because he needs an aid or appliance to safely and reliably prepare a meal, wash or bathe, dress/undress and use the WC. Although his gadgets weren't expensive, his PIP money helps him keep his house warm and pay 'petrol money' to his carers.
Getting PIP for daily living bumps up Barry's other benefit entitlement. In addition to his ESA (Employment and Support Allowance), paid at the 'support' rate of about £108 per week, he gets an 'enhanced' disability premium of £15 and a 'severe disability premium' of about £62 per week. Altogether, he's on around £240 per week.
If we reassess Barry under the planned new rules, he gets only 6 points, no PIP and no 'severe disability premium' - a cut of £117 per week, or about half of his income.
And it's not only disabled people who stand to lose. Carers are also at risk. Belatedly, the Government have agreed to exempt carers from the 'Benefit Cap'. So here's Stella, a widow with four children who has been caring for her disabled sister Juno, many of whose supervision needs aren't addressed through PIP. Because Stella spends over 35 hours a week doing so, she gets Carers Allowance and Income Support - worth about £106 per week, Child Tax Credit for the children and full Housing Benefit.
In the autumn, the Benefit Cap falls to £385 per family outside London and, if it wasn't for her carers' exemption, Stella's Housing Benefit would be cut to only £20 per week. Stella isn't Juno 'carer' for DWP purposes if Juno doesn't get PIP, but Juno too could see her points dip below 8. Depending on the age of her children, Stella might have to claim Jobseekers Allowance instead of IS and be full available for work, despite her caring responsibilities. JSA is £73 per week - a cut of about £30 per week - but Stella's family would also be affected by the 'Benefit Cap' if she ceased to be a 'carer'; depending on the level of her rent, this could cost them well in excess of £100 per week.
As for our Lyn Walker, she has a dilemma. If, like many people, she's still on DLA and waiting to be 'invited' to claim PIP, her current care needs should get her 8 'daily living' points, maybe more. However, she would score two less if the current proposals went through. Should she report a change of circumstances for an early assessment under the 'old' rules, or hold her fire? If we look at all the implications of that, not only will there be spoilers for anyone not familiar with the 'Social Insecurity' series so far, I could be giving away the plot of the next 'welfare rights lit' book, though I'm already not short of material for other scenarios if Gideon and IDS are thinking of backing down.
Severe Discomfort, the first book in the series, is usually free to download on the first and fifth Friday of every month - plus tomorrow (19th March 2016) - find the link here. If you've already read and enjoyed it, or have helpful, constructive criticism, please leave a review!
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