Skegness & District Seniors' Forum has learnt that the government has published a green paper which proposes to stop paying disability benefits, which includes Attendance Allowance, and instead give the money to social services.
Under the plan people will have their benefit entitlement converted to a 'personal budget' regulated by local authorities. This would mean each claimant will be assessed on a need-to-have basis, requiring them to prove justification for each pound received.
A green paper is only a consultation document, however meetings around the country have already been arranged for those working in local government and caring professions to be told about setting up a new National Care service which would oversee the system. In additional stakeholders panel has been established offering advice to the government.
Forum Chairman, Kath Riding, believes unless people campaign strongly against these proposals then the current disability payment system will disappear.
At the Forum's next meeting, 8 September 10am at Roman Catholic Church hall, Grosvenor Road, there will be a petition to sign.
Write to Mark Simmonds, M.P. saying that you are against this new proposed scheme.
The green paper consultation ends at the end of October, so immediate action is needed... please do get involved. Mrs. Riding says doing nothing is not an option, and whilst it is the Seniors' Forum fighting against these plans it will affect all disabled people who claim benefits regardless of age.
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