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?

No help if you have a mortgage and no children, not sure about if you rent as I guess it depends on rent costs and area
I get free prescriptions due to my thyroid and 25% off council tax as live alone and that's if

@WhatAPalaverer

Oh I don't disbelieve you! I just .... the mind boggles.

But is it fair to just give any person we ho does not work for whatever reason, more than a person working full time on minimum wage?

So I am fortunate enough that I can still work part time. My pip award gives me £380 a month so roughly £4500 a year. If I could work the extra 2 days a week, like any able bodied person, I would earn £13000 more a year. So I am still £8500 down every year compared to someone whose joints aren’t constantly dislocating and don’t need a walking stick to continue walking even on good days 😂 without going into the additional costs I have compared to able bodied people. I don’t know what I would do without my partner, who is so supportive emotionally, physically and financially.

@ValleyClouds i think people who are not disabled should be taken off disability benefits and put on unemployment benefit. Disability should be reserved for those who genuinely are disabled and of course society should help and support them.
There should always be a motivation for people to work though. Nobody on benefits should be having a better lifestyle than those who are not working or we would be in a fine old mess.

I don’t have time to attend therapy for my disability because I’m working. So I have no hope of recovery. Wish the government would fund all of us with genuine illnesses to have time for therapy.

It is not for "whatever reason" though. It is through disability. If someone is unable to work, should they just have to scrape by on the basics and have no joy in their life?

You can be unable to work and not disabled. Long term sick etc. Unemployment benefit is an absolute pittance. I have no idea how anyone can survive on it

Why not that’s what life is life for many working people? That’s not fair either is it?

Some people should not be more equal than others.

So my answer is: no better than a neurosurgeon in Serbia.

We also need employers to be incentivised to employ those who can do computer based work from home flexibly (so 20 hours a week but not fixed times) etc etc. There are plenty of bright but physically limited people out there who could do wonders with a decent laptop and wifi connection.

Working people can get overtime, get promotions, change jobs, retrain etc. Someone unable to work does not have those choices, and no chance to improve their lot.

@Clarabe1

There just AREN'T loads of people on disability who shouldn't be, it's a very common misconception

PIP is so hard to claim

Absolutely agree @WhatAPalaverer

Disability benefits should at least match the minimum wage and allow for the extra costs of that disability
I was so poorly treated by the benefits system as a lone parent with serious health issues that I went into the voluntary sector as a volunteer to try and change things
My health has improved although I need special adjustments and flexibility to manage to carry on working and am now proudly the CEO of a charity who helps thousands of people navigate the benefit system and manage their finances as best as possible to have a good quality of life and retain independence

But some disabled people will
never realistically be able to change their circumstances while someone on minim wage can.

You mean like many other people have to do who work full time on minimum wage?

No one should have to. But if you harbour a fervent belief in a punitive capitalist system that keeps many in one of the world's richest countries struggling, you probably subscribe to the belief that working full time for minimum wage can be a path to better times, whereas lifelong inability to work prevents any hope of earning more.

Why would you want people to suffer, rather than make life better for everyone?!

If the disability is such that the person is unable to hold down a job, their benefits should be equal at least to the living wage PLUS an additional amount as calculated to cover additional requirements they need.

If the disability is such that the person is able to hold down a job without a detrimental impact on their health, then likely the latter part.

How you calculate what that equates to tho is difficult. Different people will have different needs even with the same disability.

Disability benefits are, in fact, solely for disabled people. It's incredibly difficult to get them and the system is so punitive and difficult and degrading that there are many suicides as a result of the distress the assessment process causes. The UK has been investigated by the UN for human rights breaches as a result of this.

@Seagullchippy, I've no problem with disabled people being given equal amounts to others who work full time on minimum wage but don't see why they should be given more. Otherwise those working full time on minimum the wage are would be paying taxes to subsidise those who would be better off than themselves. I know many disabled people work.

Oh I know, but he’s a typical bloody minded bloke.

Being overweight is a side effect of food poverty. Healthy food and exercise are difficult to access in many parts of the country.

I have a severe neurological disability and finally have the benefits I need.
I hope to God that I never face homelessness and endure grinding poverty like I have done for over a decade as I did before.
The tories and DWP wankers would love to see me living under a bridge.