I see the lower rate care component of dla does not exist with PIP. I assume that all the people who get the lower rate care component (around £20 per week) will simply no longer qualify for any benefit. I know it's not much but I bet it really helps some people to maintain their independence.

Also, the distance you can walk has been reduced from 50m to 20m in order to qualify for high rate mobility. So someone who can only walk 30m, and let's face it that's not very far, will lose their entitlement under PIP. This will mean that some lose their motability cars and will not be able to afford to maintain and run expensive pwered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. people who rely on this benefit to get to work or to take their children to clubs will be stumped.

I think non means tested benefits like dla and PIP are so good because they actually help disabled people to stay in work. The more we move towards means testing the greater poverty trap people will be in. Cutting people's access to these benefits is in my view very dissapointing and amounts to an attack on the most vulnerable. What do other people think?

Naomi.

Dorothy, i hope you manage to keep your dla/pip and can keep that car running.......but it might be worth looking into getting a concessionary bus pass from your local council. I have one and it really does help. My RA means I wouldn't be safe driving. The bus pass can't be used before 9.30 but it's great for hospital appointments as my hospital is around 8 miles away. A doctor has to state that you would be in considerable pain if you had to walk for 100 metres but my GP (bless him) wrote that RA is painful even without exertion. I've just had the pass renewed and it will last the next 3 years.

You have so much knowledge,you make sense in all what you write.Thankyou.