How Much Would It Take?

Labour calls for radical reform of social security for disabled people

Randeep Ramesh, The Guardian, UK - July 9, 2013

Awhile back, I was reading a small flurry of articles on big changes in the Great Britain's disability service programs. It was hard to figure to figure out what was going on, but it seemed like the UK system in general was simpler, based more on cash support than services, and possibly more flexible. The problem seemed to be that the Conservative / Liberal Democratic coalition government wanted to make the system a bit simpler still, but also reduce its expense, thereby cutting overall support individuals receive.

Now it looks like the opposition Labour Party has it's own proposal, and it seems to more clearly address simplicity, while reducing one what sounds like the system's most annoying aspect … people with disabilities needing to prove their impairments again and again to different departments. The Labour proposal would apparently consolidate all support into "lump sum" payments, out of which each individual would pay for whatever services they needed … personal care, rent, food, adaptive equipment, counseling, training, whatever.

That sounds good to me, as long as the individual budgets are the right amounts, and based on individual needs, not a cookie cutter formula.

If you have a disability, how big of a support check per month would it take for you to be able to buy the disability-related support and assistance you need?