Report hit hardest shows the concerns of persons with disabilities on welfare reform

A report released recently put in place by the Coalition struck hardest at charities reiterated the concerns of persons with disabilities as to the effect that the new reforms of social protection will have on their daily lives. Published as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the possible impact of changes in welfare, the publication revealed that 8 of the 10 people were worried that they would lose their disability living allowance (DLA) which would leave them struggling to cope with their disability. In addition, the report revealed that 9 out of 10 people thought that losing their benefits would directly affect their health.

In 2012, more than 4,500 persons with disabilities completed a questionnaire to better understand their views and experiences in which concerns current wellness treatments systems. The results of the survey provided some interesting insights on the problems that disabled people face on a daily basis, and how these obstacles have been extremely difficult to overcome mainly due to costs associated with them. People with disabilities are almost twice as likely to be forced into poverty and that is where the DLA has helped to cover the costs associated with being disabled and allowing them to continue to live independently. Most of the respondents to the survey said they used their disability allowance to cover heating costs if their disability has deteriorated during extreme winter conditions.

Under Government plans, the DLA will be destroyed and replaced by the payment of personal independence, which the Government believes will save more than $ 2.2 billion. 78% of respondents reported that they were afraid that they would not qualify for the new PIP regime. Moreover, 75% of respondents believe that if they lost the compensation they would require more social support. One respondent said that "I know that the Government said they reduce spending, but cutting DLA will simply mean that they will have to spend more money on other things. '' It is a false economy. »

The hardest coalition is putting pressure on the Government to ensure that any change future well-being take into account the effect they will have on persons with disabilities. The Government must ensure that assessment processes are fair and it helps stop disabled people falling into poverty.