The 'tipping point' for welfare cuts and people with disabilities

A new report has been published today by The Hardest Hit (link opens in a new window), a coalition of over 90 disability charities and organisations, which highlights the impact of the Government's welfare cuts and reforms on disable people, including those with mental health problems.

The Tipping Point (link opens in a new window PDF file size 2.13MB) brings together a survey of over 4,500 disabled people, a poll of more than 350 independent welfare advisers, and more than 50 in-depth interviews with disabled people with varying conditions and impairments.

The report reveals:

• 8 in 10 disabled people claim losing their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) would drive them into isolation, and would leave them struggling to manage their condition.
• 9 in 10 fear that losing DLA would be detrimental to their health
•  More than three-quarters said their health got worse as a result of the stress caused by their Work Capability Assessment (WCA) for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Nearly 9 in 10 welfare advisers said the constant reassessments for benefits are damaging people’s health
• 9 in 10 welfare advisers said that too many disabled people are slipping through the net and are left without adequate support by the welfare system.

Comment from Mind Chief Executive.

Commenting on the report, Mind Chief Executive Paul Farmer said:

"It is vital that more people know about the impact of cuts and changes to welfare and benefits on disabled people, including large numbers of people with mental health problems.

"This report clearly demonstrates both that the current system is not working fairly and effectively, and that changes that are due to come in soon are likely to make things even worse for disabled people.

"I hope that the Government pays close attention to this report and reconsiders the direction of travel they have chosen for welfare and disability."

Source: Mind (link opens in a new window)