There’s no question that the disability benefits system is in desperate need of reform, but perhaps not in the way the government is suggesting (Editorial, March 18). Currently, it’s a system that’s unfriendly, clunky, and hard to get through, often making physical and mental health issues even worse for claimants due to its draining assessments and appeals, coupled with a need to struggle to be acknowledged.
The government’s idea seems to be that more investment in job coaches could get disabled people into work, as if it’s just about bolstering their confidence in job hunting. The truth is, it’s the employers who need to gain confidence in hiring disabled individuals. Finding a role that accommodates limited hours or provides the flexibility needed for frequent hospital visits can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
If the government is genuinely committed to improving access to employment for disabled individuals, this is where they need to focus their investments. We need something akin to the apprenticeship scheme, where companies receive financial incentives to employ those with a limited capacity for work, offering them a fair wage for reduced hours. Such an initiative could unlock the vast potential of our highly educated and talented disabled community. Name and address supplied.
The proposed changes to the personal independence payment (PIP) system should be scrapped. The mere act of receiving a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions fills me with dread. Living with epilepsy, a highly unpredictable and life-altering condition, impacts me on every level. My daily living score from the DWP stands at 13 points, qualifying me for the enhanced PIP rate. But with the new “four points in one category” proposal, I stand to lose my PIP entirely.
Generally, I’m able to function quite well about 90% of the time. However, during those other 10%, I may not even know who or where I am, leaving me extremely vulnerable. This reform overlooks disabilities like mine, where constant support across the board is necessary to ensure safety. While I agree that welfare reform is needed, making changes at the expense of the disabled populace is unacceptable. Such proposals could have devastating consequences for people’s lives. Jo Mackenzie, Ventnor, Isle of Wight.
Why is the government seemingly so determined to make life harder for disabled individuals? I depend on universal credit and PIP, and without PIP, I’d face homelessness. This isn’t right for a 62-year-old who has diligently paid taxes for more than 40 years and is now physically worn from years of construction work. It took over 18 months to secure PIP, enduring relentless challenges from the DWP, who multiple times refused to acknowledge the permanence of my disability. Now, I’m expected to secure suitable employment despite my limitations, potentially forcing me into low-paying, unskilled work under threat that all my benefits will be cut off if I don’t.
Why is it that this government can allocate £200 billion for nuclear arms and an additional £14 billion for defense, but hesitates to ensure that disabled people can simply live decently with PIP payments? Mark Sayers, Keighley, West Yorkshire.
The government’s latest plans to restrict the health component of universal credit for those under 22 could be catastrophic for young care leavers. These young folks are statistically more likely than their peers to have health conditions or disabilities, often due to early trauma and inadequate support from the care system. Many lack family support, both financially and emotionally.
This proposed cut would reduce their already meager incomes by nearly £5,000 annually. Stripping away this essential support could push more young care leavers to the brink, making it harder for them to afford basic necessities like food, rent, and transportation, thus increasing their risk of homelessness, mental health issues, and prolonged unemployment. Rather than enabling them to secure a better future, this policy threatens to further marginalize them. We urge those in charge to reconsider before these changes inflict lasting harm on some of our communities’ most vulnerable youths. Katharine Sacks-Jones, Chief Executive, Become charity.
As a disabled man in my late 30s, I’ve been in a job search for 13 months after moving to be closer to family, following a part-time office job. My health has worsened significantly in recent years, and now I rely on a wheelchair instead of walking.
PIP is not a way to avoid working. Being disabled means constantly managing limited energy resources while wanting to engage with society. Often, this means only being fit for part-time work, which doesn’t provide a livable income by itself.
PIP helps cover the extra costs of being disabled, allowing for some semblance of quality of life. Maintaining a wheelchair-accessible vehicle is costly, needing specialized adaptations. Accessible sporting activities are often far away and not reachable by public transit. Simple things like nail care can cost £30 a session, and employing a care worker costs at least £80 weekly.
These are just a few snapshots of the additional expenses that come with disability. Freezing and cutting PIP is akin to turning back the clock, disregarding decades of advancements through disability rights legislation. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act—yet, frankly, who feels like celebrating? David Slater, Saffron Walden, Cambridgeshire.
This approach will be remembered like the poll tax during Thatcher’s time or tuition fees for Nick Clegg. While it may not incite riots, vilifying disabled people is not something that will be forgotten. James Unvala, Ramsgate, Kent.
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