"Claimants have just 100 days to prevent their DLA and AA being abolished.

A government green paper has revealed proposals to stop paying 'disability benefits, for example, attendance allowance'' and hand the cash over to social services instead.

Under the plan, current claimants would have their disability benefits converted to a 'personal budget' administered by local authorities and used to pay for services - not to spend as they wish.

Once the green paper consultation period ends in 100 days time, if an almighty row has not been raised, it is likely that both major political parties will see the lack of outrage as a green light to end both DLA and AA.

We're looking for a minimum of 1,000 claimants, carers and support workers to join our campaign to save these benefits from being abolished.

Find out how you can take part from this link:

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/disability-living-allowance-(dla)/dla-aa-cuts
We know that many people will take false comfort from the fact that, unlike AA, DLA is not specifically named as being for the axe. But if the government was planning only to abolish AA it is extremely unlikely that they would refer constantly throughout the green paper to 'disability benefits', a term which includes not just AA but also DLA.

Others will dismiss this as just another idle discussion document and our concerns as scare mongering.

But it's much more than that.

36 meetings have already been organised around the country for people working in government and the caring professions to meet to be told about the setting up of a new National Care Service which would oversee the system. In addition, a stakeholders panel of more than 50 voluntary sector organisations, trades unions and academics has been established to offer advice to the government.

Some organisations and individuals, such as RNIB and welfare rights worker Neil Bateman writing for Community Care magazine, have already voiced their alarm.

But not every disability organisation is opposed to the proposals and some even agree with them.

In a press release, Disability Alliance has welcomed the publication of the green paper and said that it 'looks forward to working alongside Government and all the other stakeholders in bringing these plans into fruition.' They have even said that they agree that there is a case for 'integrating disability benefits such as attendance allowance' into the new system.

One thing everyone does seem to agree on is that huge cuts in public spending will have to take place in the next few years as a result of the credit crunch and global recession.

Political parties are desperately looking for the softest targets to be the victims of these cuts. Dismissing the green paper's proposals as hot air and not worth worrying about could be the costliest mistake you ever make.

Find out more about the proposed abolition of DLA and AA and how you can join our campaign to fight back:

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/disability-living-allowance-(dla)/dla-aa-cuts

Good luck,"

Steve Donnison, Leonard Cheshire Disability Posted 3 September 2009 10:31:28

"Come on you disabled people out there have your say or it will be your DLA next. It is interesting that organisations FOR disabled people who are not run and controlled by disabled people them selves are trying to lead on this issue.

The important people who should be leading on this issue are disabled people themselves or their organisations.

The question I pose is where the control by disabled people on this issue is. My view is that if it is put into the hands of a local council then I can see them introducing eligibility criteria and this will mean many of you who receive this benefit at the moment will lose out. You only have to look at the record of local authorities on Home Care where eligibility criteria was introduced to dampen demand.

We need to say no on the issue of Attendance Allowance but please look at the other proposals and let ESDA know what your views so your user led organisation can campaign on your behalf."

Reg, Eastbourne Posted 9 September 2009 12:53:54

"we have to stop this from happening."

Sharran Kenward, Hailsham Posted 14 September 2009 12:56:39

"As usual the most vulnerable members of society are paying for the governments mistakes! They can find money to pay for a war we don't want, bail the greedy banks out and then there's all the stories about the MP's ridiculous expenses claims. So how do they fìgure they can make savings on the economy? Hit the people who are least able to do anything about it! It's a joke! It makes you wonder why you bother paying tax!"

Kerry Potter, Eastbourne Posted 14 September 2009 12:57:55

"I am saying the same everywhere and that is that this is just another cost cutting exercise by the government. They go for who they see as the sitting ducks. I despair that DLA will be going from the individual to social services, whose track record of providing the right care, and when it is needed, sucks!

Keep DLA as a direct payment and let people have the right to a quality of life of their choosing, rather than no quality of life as bureaucrats play tokenism with social care."

Mandy Lawrence, UK Posted 14 September 2009 12:59:13

"If Gordon Brown wants my bloody money he can come and get it himself! I might be a cripple but i can still kick his arse!"

Fred Blunden, UK Posted 14 September 2009 13:00:06

"The aim of the Politicalcripple.com was to have 1million signatures to be delivered to No10 on the 18th November 2009.
Never n the history of petitions to No10 has this been achieved.
If this can be acheived, all Governments will listento the Disability Community.
20 years ago, members of the Disability Community were being referred to a 1-in10.
Thre are now in the regionof 13million people with disabilities in the UK.
There are an estimated 75million people with diabilities in the EU.
This voice and power is too huge to ignore, we can protect DLA, AA & Carers Allowance.
We can protect our independance.
WE CAN DO IT.

Adam."

Adam Lotun Wda, London Posted 14 September 2009 13:02:49

"I'm not disabled and neither is any member of my family, but it could happen to any one of us tomorrow. If more people faced the fact that it CAN happen to them, the disabled might get a better deal. Until then, greedy, selfish people will contiue to demand cuts so they can get drunk, or buy the latest gadgets and impress their friends."

Terry Huggins, UK Posted 14 September 2009 13:03:29

"everyone is entitled to a comfortable life . it is hard having or caring for someone with disabilities .so abit of extra money to help you live as normal life as possible is a huge help. everyone who recieves these benefits has to fill in a horendous form and is judged on how much they recieve any way .it is simply not fair to cut these payments . surely ther are other benefits that need to be cut more than this one ."

Angela Hutchins, UK Posted 14 September 2009 13:03:52

"Here Here Angela...x I think Benefits that go to families that come from abroad should be cut and should not be entitled to a full allowance from the goverment.
Im a mother of a very special 10 yr old boy who has special needs and is wheelchair bound and has learning difficulties and mobility disabilities. And the benifits that he gets helps him to buy things that he needs to help make his life a little easier, so to cut back on his benifit would make his life uncomfortable and not easy.
Anyone of you could become disabaled through an accident or illness. And id like to see how you would manage on such a low income/benefit. I will be surporting my son all the way, to stop his benifit from being reduced, so watch this space!!!"

Tanya Stocker, UK Posted 14 September 2009 14:20:18

"If Gordon Brown wants my bloody money he can come and get it himself! I might be a cripple but i can still kick his a***!"

Fred Blunden, UK Posted 15 September 2009 9:59:36

"well said fred !! i'll send my 10 year old son around who is in a wheelchair he is good at kicking punching & he enjoys calling people a****s which would be apt for gordon brown !!!!!"

Caroline Rogers-Davies, UK Posted 15 September 2009 10:01:17

"how low can the government sink?"

sally chivers, ok Posted 10 October 2009 21:54:52

"THERE ON BENEFITS FOR A REASON"

Powerhouse Paul Kenyon, UK Posted 29 October 2009 14:32:06

"I think we need to be vigilant and i think we need to be organised to show that we are extremely displeased that these ideas are even being talked about.

I was also pointing out p...ragmatic reasons why this government and the next one will be looking to take your DLA. I wasn't saying anyone should take it. In fact, as one of the undeserving Disabled People that government, both central and local, seek to exclude i think there are real reasons for DLA to be extended.

The fact that i don't get it doesn't mean i can't campaign and support my more fortunate brothers and sisters within the disability movement and yes i do have a job and yes i did go through 10 years employment getting no where in organisations that discriminate against disabled people and yes i did spend another 10 years out of work for the same reason."

Richard Downes, UK Posted 29 October 2009 14:33:14

"Why cut dla, we hardlgy get enough. Anmd with the current climate it is crazy people, need to live. What about cutting thepeople who claim and don't actully need it- thats what i would love to see happen..."

Shelley Pearce, UK Posted 29 October 2009 14:36:11

"i vote for shelley and powerhouse to be the arbiters of who deserves to get benefits and who doesn't. Sounds to me like they would do a great job of getting rid of all us scroungers who are getting benefits we don't deserve. Go to it folks. Don't worry about defending us. We don't deserve it. I'...;m sure you could come up with a great test which would mean you two stay on benefits but the rest of us get kicked off. You could then get a bonus for doing such a great job.Read More"

Richard Downes, UK Posted 29 October 2009 14:37:05

"i vote for shelley and powerhouse to be the arbiters of who deserves to get benefits and who doesn't. Sounds to me like they would do a great job of getting rid of all us scroungers who are getting benefits we don't deserve. Go to it folks. Don't worry about defending us. We don't deserve it. I'...;m sure you could come up with a great test which would mean you two stay on benefits but the rest of us get kicked off. You could then get a bonus for doing such a great job.Read More"

Richard Downes, UK Posted 29 October 2009 14:59:49

""There better not be a threat to Disability Living Allowance because I currently receive this benefit because a) I have a mental disability and b) I rely on it as I am not in paid work at the moment due to my disability and lacking in confidence. I have features of Autism, Aspergers, and Obscessive Compulsive Disorder. I do qualify for this benefit. I would not have it otherwise as I would not wish to abuse the benefits system. I already see some lively debate so let's make our feeling known""

Bob, Seaford Posted 31 October 2009 22:00:40

""Hey - I feel a bit of laid back fun and calm needs to be brought to this fiery debate. Has Bonfire Night meant there is no interest of late in this debate since 31 Oct. I would say so, because all our views have gone up in smoke towards our Prime-Minister and Ten Downing Street, and then perhaps they there will all take notice""

Bob, Seaford Posted 9 November 2009 20:26:08

"We welcome the opportunity to participate in this important debate.

ESDA believes that the vision set out in the Green Paper echoes what disabled people have been saying for a number of years. There is a need for portable support, choice and control and so on. However it is not clear in this Green Paper how the Government proposes to make this dream a reality. The current reality for disabled people seeking support from social services is very different. We hear of people in clear need being told they don't meet eligibility criteria; of disabled people turning down services because they cannot afford the charge levied; of disabled people moving to or from the area and having to face increased charges and/or decreased levels of support; and of disabled people having to put up with disrespect from social care professionals and care workers. Change is needed but disabled people and their organisations must be included in the design of this new world.

� We strongly agree that there is a need for radical reform.
� We would like to see a nationally funded system.
� We like the vision but believe the Government will need to pass legislation like the Independent Living Bill to make changes such as national assessment, portability and joined up support happen.
� We want a rights-based system that gives us the support we need to get out and participate and live a full life, that's not what we get now.
� Disabled and older people who need it should be entitled to support regardless of 'level' of need.
� Our members are most vociferous in their belief that Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance should be left alone. They are very worried that these non-means tested benefits will become part of local authority budgets. This will mean that people who are currently eligible for benefit may not be eligible for social care support; it means that people in receipt of benefit but not in receipt of social care support will be far worse off; it means a decrease in independence, choice and control; more disabled people would fall into poverty; and there appears to be no guarantee that this money will be ring-fenced to provide services for disabled people.
� Government could save money to invest in independent living by making it easier for people to get DLA and AA, getting more decisions right first time around. We wonder why we waste millions on paying private companies with no disability awareness, and absolutely no involvement of disabled people, to make ill-informed assessments for benefits?
� We want universal, free social care; the Government should develop the Comprehensive model more and work with disabled people and their organisations on that.
� Disabled people are committed to change; we have huge expertise and we must be involved in taking forward and leading what happens next.
� Government should get a move on: many of us are in urgent need. The Independent Living Bill, written by disabled people together with Jack Ashley, contains all the changes we would like to see happen."

Reg, ESDA Posted 16 November 2009 13:11:44

"the proposed changes rationale is seriously flawed. Already the social care system is weak and is dependent on quality staff with a wide range of skills. I can see the funds being diverted to other causes, if they cant get the staff! I dont want to hand my life over to social care and the ALA gives me that level of independence to choose who I see, who comes to help me in my house etc. I feel this retrogade step denies me that right"

marcella shade-brown, United Kingdom Posted 9 December 2009 11:08:44

"This is a diaster. I will not be voting Labour this time. I wonder if the other poliltical parties have the same intention. This is infantilizing adlts, taking their choices away, and making the country into a Big Brother state,"

Patricia Welles, London Posted 30 March 2010 21:21:32

"Why do they pick on the most vunerable members of society. Again Gordon Brown is picking a soft target he needs to look at the Benefits system first and target those who have never contributed."

Helen Smith, Bradford Posted 3 April 2010 10:26:56

"on March 30th the government issued their white paper on this subject and thankfully it 'rules out any changes to Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance in the next Parliament..' so......"

Julia, ESDA Eastbourne Posted 12 April 2010 16:38:06

"if we all with draw our caring and then what would happen"

george, rye Posted 22 April 2010 14:29:36

"I am carer and a single parent to my ten year old son who has Autism. My son is difficult to travel with on public transport and it can be a really stressful experience both for him and myself. I don't drive so i rely solely on DLA to help me and my son get around in taxi's. This not only helps reduce the stress of buses and trains but is also alot safer as my son has no sense of danger and sometimes runs off. I don't know what i would do if i had to rely on social services to provide a consistent service especially as they have failed in the past to provide support in other areas. I think its all a total sham and if they do this the government will have to fork out more in the future because alot of kids could end up in the care of the state and their parents, carers in mental institutions......"

kelly towers, Eastbourne Posted 22 April 2010 14:35:01

"This is terrible news. My husband is disabled and suffers from incontinence. We choose to spend his Attendance Allowance on the fuels bills for the extra washing, the extra water bill, pads (he is not incontinent 'enough' to qualify for free ones etc. etc. I do not want the Government or anyone else making any more decisions for us. It is bad enough we are in this mess."

Janet, East Sussex Posted 22 April 2010 18:52:37