Carers fear cuts to DLA will ruin lives

Among them was Clive Arnold, 54, of Richmondshire, North Yorkshire, who gives round-the-clock care to his wife Christine.

She suffers a range of physical and mental disabilities including the rare congenital neurological disorder Moebius syndrome.

It means she can’t close her eyes or form facial expressions due to complete facial paralysis from birth.

She also suffers from epilepsy and severe depression.

Now like thousands of others receiving sickness and disabled benefits Christine faces losing her disability living allowance (DLA) or being placed on a lower rate when she is transferred from DLA to the personal independence payment (PIP).

Mr Arnold told the Morning Star that if this happened he would no longer qualify for carer’s allowance and would be forced to try to find a job on jobseeker’s allowance.

“We would end up being unable to afford the rent and could both end up homeless,” he said.

“It’s pure evil what the government is doing. My wife needs 30 tablets a day.

“If I’m not there to monitor that her life will be at risk.

“I’m not the only one. Carers are not looking at the bigger picture of what is going to happen to them. There’s a huge storm coming and a lot of carers are in an even worse position than me.”

DLA/PIP Help Groups founder of Ian Sandeman said that disabled people like himself and his wife would have to cut back on essentials like food if their benefits are lost.

He said: “The proposed change from DLA to PIP will cause much heartache and poverty.”

And Chill4usCarers forum founder Wendy Maxwell said: “Carers feel they are already forgotten by society and have a tough struggle to get help for their loved ones.”

A Department of Work and Pensions spokesman said that under PIP, which will replace DLA for working age people, carers for those on either standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component will still be eligible for carer’s allowance.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/122195