Benefit Blog – help us protect Disability Benefits
+ Carer Watch response to Green Paper for Social Care
November 17th, 2009
Carer Watch are an online group who campaign for a better deal for unpaid carers. We believe that Social Care is a social responsibility, that is to say it is the responsibility of the whole of society. Family carers may feel a sense of moral responsibility for their sick and disabled loved ones, but this should surely not be exploited. They do their best to care for those members of their families, but this is a responsibility discharged not just on their own behalf, but on behalf of society as a whole. Meeting carers needs, in terms of financial remuneration and lifestyle options should be regarded as an entitlement and not as a form of charity.
Carer Watch believe that the govt has failed to Read the full article…
+ Responses to the Green Paper for Social Care received to date.
November 13th, 2009
Responses from the following groups are added individually after this post -
Green Party
Carers UK
In Control
Counsel and Care
PRTC
National Pensioners Convention
ADASS
London Borough of Richmond
South Tyneside Central Organisation on Disabilities
Peter Beresford on behalf of Shaping Our Lives
Croydon council
Afiya Trust
Joseph Rowntree Fund
MIND
Disability Alliance
Parkinsons Disease Society
Mencap
Sense
Worcestershire County Council
Mental Health Foundation
National Housing Federation
Arthritis Care
WRVS
ECCA
Thurrock council
London councils
Cover
RNIB
NPC
+ National Pensioners Convention
December 16th, 2009
Link to their full response can be found here
Menu right hand side of the page…..NPC submission - Shaping the future of care together
+ RNIB response
December 16th, 2009
Together with four other sight loss organisations, RNIB sets out the issues affecting access to social care and support, as experienced by blind and partially sighted people. We discuss the barriers to access, the rationing system, the need for adequate funding and for a more far-reaching debate about where that funding might come from. We oppose the abolition of Attendance Allowance - and possibly other disability benefits - to plug funding gaps in the social care system.
Full response can be found on this link
+ COVER -
December 16th, 2009
COVER is a representative body for the Voluntary and Community Sector in the East of England
+ London councils
December 16th, 2009
London Councils represents all 32 London boroughs, the City of London, the
Metropolitan Police Authority and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.
In the creation of this response London Councils has consulted: borough leaders; Lead
Members of Health and Adult Services; the London ADASS branch and other borough
officers; and other interested public sector, third sector and voluntary organisations. We
have also commissioned research into the current and predicted expenditure on social
care costs in London and elsewhere.
Link for Executive summary available on this page
+ Thurrock council
December 16th, 2009
Disability Benefits
There was substantial debate about the proposal to retract or integrate existing disability related benefits into the state contribution of the proposed funding options.
Participants who are also recipients of disability benefits currently enjoy a level of independence and choice due to their freedom to spend their benefits on services/items that address lower level needs, such as transport via taxi and social activities. The group concluded that they feel very strongly, that retracting disability benefits will be a step back, in terms of personalisation and independence. It is felt that recipients will become more reliant on the local authority to approve the services they receive or can purchase via a direct payment. The State should not be detailing how people spend this money.
+ Mental Health Foundation
December 16th, 2009
We regret that the option of a wholly tax-funded system has been rejected,
and believe this option should be reopened for further public discussion.
The three funding options set out lack the necessary detail to allow a
decision to be made on which is preferable.
We would have concerns about any transfer of disability benefits into the
social care pot. These benefits are a lifeline for tens of thousands of people
with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities, and is
money they can control and spend as they think best.
+ Worcestershire county council
December 15th, 2009
Worcestershire’s County Council welcomes the opportunity to put its views forward on the important topic of the future of the adult social care and support system.
+ SENSE
December 15th, 2009
It’s the Social Care green paper - NOT the Personal Care green paper!
Sense has submitted its response to the Government on its green paper, Shaping The Future Of Care Together - about how to pay for social care in the future. As part of our response, we have been speaking to members, asking them to share their views and outline their priorities.