With the Welfare Reform Bill, aimed at slashing the numbers on disability benefits, on its way through parliament, I thought I’d post this poem, based on my experience of the system as it was in the late 1990s, called “Do You Want Some?”
Do You Want Some?
Someone from our Office
Will be coming to see you soon
About your Benefits.
FOR YOUR PROTECTION
All our Visiting Staff
Carry an identity card
ASK TO SEE IT.
The Visitor
Will need to check a number of things
To make sure you are getting
The right amount of benefit.
DO NOT WORRY
If you do not have all the things
But please get as many as you can
So that there is no further delay
In calculation and payment
Of your Benefit
Entitlement.
You must fill in the tear-off part of this form each week
To tell us about anything that has changed.
If anything changes and you do not tell us
You might get the wrong amount of money.
And you could be breaking the law...
If you are not sure if we need to know
Please tell us anyway.
Tell us everything.
Tell us about YOURSELF.
Are you pregnant?
What date is the baby due?
Are you getting Disability Living Allowance?
How much do you get?
Are you getting it once a week?
Are you getting it once a month?
Are you getting it regular?
Are you getting hospital treatment?
Do you get a fit (or something similar)at least once a month?
What do you need?
Who is it for?
Tell us their name.
What do you need?
Who is it for?
Tell us their name.
If they are applying for the cost of replacement of an item
Please say what happened to the old item.
What is it for?
Who do you need?
Tell us their name.
Do you feel a fit (or something similar) coming on?
Can you see the shape of furniture in a room?
Can you tell light from dark?
Do strangers understand what you say?
Do your family and friends understand what you say?
Can you understand someone talking in a normal voice on a busy street?
Can you understand someone talking in a LOUD VOICE in a quiet room?
Can you tie a bow in string?
Can you walk up and down one step?
Can you raise one arm to your head as if to put on a hat?
Can you clap without using your left hand?
Can you tell light from dark?
We need to know how much it will cost
We need to know how much it will cost
We know where you live.
Do you have a problem?
Do you have a problem speaking?
Do you have a problem hearing?
Do you want one?
Do you want some?
Do you have a problem?
Can you stand unassisted?
Are you going to a funeral?
Do you have a problem bending or kneeling?
Do you lose control of your bladder at least once a month?
Do you lose control of your bowels at least once a month?
Please show us how often in the box below.
Do you need help because someone needs your care and support?
This person might have a mental illness
Please tell us about this person
Their name
Their address
Their relationship to you
Why do they need your care and support?
Do you need help?
Do you need help because of very difficult problems?
Do you need help?
Do you need help?
Because of very difficult problems?
Do you need help?
Please tell us why things are so very difficult
Tell us about the pain you feel while you are doing day-to-day things.
Can you pick up a two pence coin with either one of your hands?
Can you pick up a pound coin with either one of your hands?
Can you pick up a £10 note with one of your hands but not the other?
Can you pick up a welfare cheque?
I bet.
I said: “I bet”.
Can strangers understand you?
Can you understand someone talking in a loud voice in a quiet room?
Can you bend or kneel and straighten up again?
Can you bend or kneel as if to pick up a piece of paper from the floor and straighten up again?
Can you walk?
Can you crawl?
Can you pick up a half litre carton of milk?
Can you bend to touch your toes?
Can you see the shape of furniture in a dark room?
Can you understand some one talking in a normal voice?
Can you understand someone talking in a LOUD voice?
Do you have problems with fits?
Tell us about your partner.
Does he need help?
Is he away from work because of a trade dispute?
Was it a strike?
Was it a walkout?
Was it a lockout?
Were there picket lines?
Did he love you?
Was he breaking the law?
Does he have a problem?
Can he tell light from dark?
Can he see the shape of furniture in a room?
Can he tie a bow in string?
Can he understand someone talking in a loud voice in a quiet room?
Do you understand what he says?
What does he need?
How much does he get?
Where does he live?
Who does he love?
Does he want some?
Tell us his name.
Someone will be coming to see you very soon
About your benefit entitlement.
For your protection
Ask to see their identity card.
