What lifestyle do you think disabled people who are not working should have?

[HmmOk]

Curious about what other people think. Before anyone says it, yes I am quite aware that plenty of disabled people do work and lots earn very well. However not everyone is able to do that.

I generally think disability benefits should cover a decent quality of life - should make up shortfall in rent as rents are so high, decent quality food, pay for therapies and tools that would help the person's disabilities, and pay for some fun stuff so that everyone can participate in society. People need to have a bit more money than only meets their basic needs, to be able to meet a mate for coffee or have a day out or whatnot.

Thinking about this today as not currently working due to bereavement and poor physical health and know I'm lucky to be in a loving marriage where i am supported, and for now we are ok with money. I'm hoping to find work I can do soon that won't further fuck my health.

In contrast I have a mate who is very ill with very serious life threatening conditions. She is single, abusive family of origin and she is quite vulnerable especially looking at the future. I think there should be better security for her future as the immense stress of money is not helping her health at all. Like why can't PIP be given for life to someone in that situation? It is cruel.

What do you think?

Single person and single parent households are often far more disadvantaged than two income families. Someone with a high earning partner will not face the same hardship as a person with the same level of disability who live alone.

A group of individuals with similar levels of disability and need could have very different situations, financially and support wise. I’ve mainly worked in office based jobs, where physical disabilities weren’t unknown. One of my colleagues had a prosthetic leg. She got mobility benefits, as was her right, a decent salary, and her partner also worked. They owned their home, had holidays etc. I know a couple, one of whom has a similar disability, who doesn’t work, and whose non disabled partner doesn’t work, but claims carer’s allowance. They live solely on benefits. They are in rented accommodation, fortunately its social housing, but their lifestyle is pretty basic.