Coronavirus: disabled people are in danger of losing benefits while fighting the disease
This is a serious concern.
The Department for Work and Pensions is in the habit of cutting off people’s benefit claims with the slightest excuse.
Claims have been cancelled because the claimants have suffered medical emergencies and were in hospital at the time – even before the coronavirus crisis began.
This Writer has already heard from someone who had to report to the DWP before a deadline – but failed to meet it because of the huge number of people trying to claim Universal Credit online or by telephone. That person’s benefit was cut off – but luckily it was subsequently restored.
Not everybody can count on that, though.
People on disability benefits may often be on medication including immuno-suppressants, which make them susceptible to Covid-19.
So it is entirely likely that they could fail to meet the reporting requirements – or indeed reassessment requirements – because of the pandemic.
And what if they need treatment for a prolonged period of time? People automatically lose benefits if they are in hospital for longer than (as far as I can recall) 28 days.
And in the face of these concerns, the Department for Work and Pensions has refused to provide any reassurance.
Past experience of the DWP suggests only one thing:
These bureaucrats will merrily strip the sick and disabled of their benefits, even if they are fighting for their lives against this killer virus.
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Here are four ways to be sure you’re among the first to know what’s going on.
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (in the left margin). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
i read that all assessments/re-assessments had been postponed till after the pandemic is over…… cant remember now where it was but on msn news online somewhere. there’s been so much information/misinformation and fake news given out though online its hard to know whats right and what isnt
That’s face-to-face assessments and reassessments. If the process has been started, claimants have to contact the DWP to discuss how to take it forward. But, of course, it’s very hard to contact the DWP due to the vast number of other people trying to make new claims. If contact isn’t made on time, DWP will probably cancel the claim.
The severely disabled were told almost a week ago to stay at home for 12 weeks with a promise of food parcels delivered by the army by today – how’s that working out?
These liars are not your friend, they talk a good game but their words have no substance, rely upon friends,family and neighbours when you can as they are the only ones who actually care about your well-being.
I would like to see someone put a spotlight on this.
This is the list of those recognized to be “at risk” from the website where you register yourself or a loved one as vulnerable and requiring support after receiving one of those letters. It is a very limited list, if you or the person you are concerned for does not meet this criteria you are told they can’t help and given links to other information largely unhelpful.
“You’re extremely vulnerable if you:
have had a solid organ transplant
have any cancer and are getting chemotherapy
have lung cancer and are getting radical radiotherapy
have cancer of the blood or bone marrow, at any stage of treatment – for example, leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma
have any cancer for which you’re getting immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments
have any cancer for which you’re getting a targeted treatment which can affect the immune system – for example, protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or are still taking immunosuppression drugs
have a severe respiratory condition – including cystic fibrosis, severe asthma or severe COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
have a rare disease or inborn error of metabolism that significantly increases your risk of infection – for example SCID or homozygous sickle cell
are getting an immunosuppression therapy that’s sufficient to significantly increase your risk of infection
are pregnant, and have a significant congenital or acquired heart disease”
This list contradicts the governments own advice regarding social distancing.
Found here : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults
“We are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.
This group includes those who are:
aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
chronic kidney disease
chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
diabetes
problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
those who are pregnant
Note: there are some clinical conditions which put people at even higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this category, next week the NHS in England will directly contact you with advice about the more stringent measures you should take in order to keep yourself and others safe. For now, you should rigorously follow the social distancing advice in full, outlined below.
People falling into this group are those who may be at particular risk due to complex health problems such as:
people who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication
people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia who are at any stage of treatment
people with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)
people with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)”
Worryingly amongst those not present on these lists, which are many, include those with learning disabilities and/or severe mental health problems.
I know parliament was due to go on break for Easter, equally I also get that the herd immunity they were banging on about is for plebs like your humble respondent only, but they have been on and on about working from home.. so what about them?
Like when they had that mouthpiece Gove preaching about staying out of parks.. while being interviewed, bang smack in the middle of a park in London (lol)
If you thought it was bad in Spain when the army discovered people in retirement homes abandoned (and passed on) how bad do you think it could get over here when our senior government is advised by a known Eugenist
Volunteers however well meaning are still just the government doing things on the cheap, if we can’t test our medical workers what chance is there of them screening 500000+ persons for criminal records/history before unleashing them (some of which will unknowingly be carrying the virus as well) on the vulnerable community?