Being a carer continuously for over 39 years, do not support any decision for 
benefit to be handed to LA or SS.

My grounds and reasons are; the assessment of benefit is based upon the 
individuals needs, therefore in essence becomes their benefit under the Human 
Rights Act, a possession to be enjoyed by the individual/s, not for the LA or 
SS.

I am well aware and offae in the caring system and it has been nothing but a 
disaster in relation to both my disabled parents and in my current caring 
capacity, not only that being a disabled person myself, trying to get any 
services whatsoever is a minefiled, as all we are told on a day to day basis, 
there are no resources, why. The government has always been aware of the 
situation but has failed to address it and in the media, the horror stories 
we read. Well I can tell you, I live in one of those horror stories that 
being disabled and a carer, that being assessed for personal care, housework, 
shopping etc.. since 2001 have/do not receive those services, even though 
assessments by SS are considered 'critical'. So even by my own experience, 
would never, ever consider benefit being paid to LA or SS.

To add further reasons to hand over DLA/AA to LA or SS, my parents waited 22 
years for disablef facilties from 1970 until 1992.

In my own case, we have been waiting since 1996 for disabled facilities and 
even though Courts have ruled that this household should be adapted for a 
downstairs extension to include a bedroom, wc, shower, we as two disabled 
people, not only do not get services we are entitled to; under the LA's 
statutory and mandatory duty, having to eat, sleep, excrete, urinate in the 
living room, that the LA is not only refusing to carry out repairs or 
refurbishment since Court Orders in 2005, so how can we have any faith in the 
system???

As many know, that even after having a LA and SS assessment prior to 
receiving services, that is you do, it is means tested does not give 
automatic entitlement to services, so if that is the position now, who is to 
say, if benefits were handed over to LA and SS, things would be any 
different, I think not!!!

DLA and AA are for the enjoyment of the claimant to do what they want to do, 
it is a choice, handing over AA or DLA is not a choice or right, contrary to 
our Human Rights.

Carer's do not receive a working wage, some of us, much like myself spend 
over 35 hours per week in a caring capacity, on call 24/7, 52 weeks of a 
year, without a break, more money should be paid to Carer's, even if it just 
a minimum wage and why not.

Furthermore, caring and being in receipt of DLA/AA should come under the 
umbrella of the NHS not LA or SS.

To be denied DLA/AA will be to the detriment of the claimant and instead of 
having independence and choice, this will be removed, why?

We are supposed to live in a free democratic society and have choices, 
however, day by day our choices and Human Rights, are being removed, why?

LA, SS and NHS cant even control their own buged now, nor can they provide 
services that are not only statutory but mandatory. So how can anyone have 
confidence or trust, that handing over AA/DLA to LA, SS, that things will 
change, they will not, fact!!!

It is just subterfuge by the government to fill the coffers of the already 
failing system by not addressing the real issues, instead penalise those whom 
have a greater need of AA/DLA to deprive them of this benefit.

There are many benefits unclaimed, why? Why should DLA/AA be handed over to 
LA or SS, as in the wider scheme of things, many people may use only a manual 
wheelchair and if these benefits are withdrawn, would their not be a further 
drain on the NHS by claimants wanting an electric wheelchair?

Our DLA is not being used for which is intended for our personal use but 
instead is being used in trying to acquire services that we are legally 
entitled to and fending off court actions because the LA do not want to 
adapt, repair the property we live in and are continually being harassed by 
threats of eviction and notices to quit, why?? Where are the services to 
support us, when we need them, the simple answer is, as is written on many 
dodcuments NFA (no further action).

The benefits system should be overhauled to make it simple, whereby a claim 
to one benefit should be a route to another and as we all know, data is 
shared, so when a person receives AA/DLA, this information should 
automatically be sent to LA and SS, in order that assessments can take place 
and services be provided!!! Carers have enough to cope with, without all the 
unnecessary jargon etc.. to deal with and it is a well known fact, that the 
impact being a carer, that it is detrimental to their health and the 
recogniition for this should be and adequate wage. I have never received the 
300.00 grant for a break in my caring role throughout my 39 years as being a 
carer, why?

Services are not unilateral nor is each case treat the same, albeit we are 
all individuals, why is the criteria, availability of services etc... 
different, even throughout the UK, why?

Afterall, we are all human beings, as such are all entitled to be treat the 
same, if not, why not, when trying to claim benefits, services etc...?