Page 6 | Benefits explosion- where will it end?

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 30/01/2026 13:28

SnoopyPajamas · 30/01/2026 13:07

We need a reform of society. Reform the inflexibility of the system, and the benefits cliff edge that makes it difficult for so many people to take up part time work. Reform child care. Reform the forty hour work week that is causing so much burnout. Reform housing, so people aren't pouring half their income into rent with no return. Improve social mobility - stop demanding unnecessary credentials for entry level positions. No-one needs a degree to answer the phone and reply to emails.

It's really very simple. If the advantages of work outweigh the negatives, people will work. If the system is so broken people can't afford to participate, they won't. People will endure the stigma of being unemployed if it gets them help with rent and keeps a roof over their head. They will stay home with the kids and make cutbacks to their lifestyle, if the cost of childcare makes working impossible. They will accept the shame of unemployment and struggle to survive on a low income, if they're too burned out or chronically ill to function, and they've hit a wall.

There are some people who have no interest in work and would rather live off "the system". There always have been. But the explosion in benefits claimants we're seeing speaks to major problems with society. Structural problems. We can't keep ignoring them.

Edited

I agree with you wholeheartedly that if the advantages outweigh the negatives then more people will take up work but that will also include workplaces becoming more accessible to people with disabilities and more support for those of us who want to be self employed.

I am out of work now, but I have worked many jobs all of which have put blanket policies in place that are unlawful and placed me at a disadvantage when requesting the adjustments that I need to continue working.

I have multiple disabilities that require multiple accommodations that larger organisations absolutely could cater to, but just won't. I've always been mindful when applying for roles to apply to organisations that can afford the costs or recoup the costs of the accommodations I need, but they string it out so long until I just have nothing left to give and end up going down the capability pathway and being managed out of the businesses.

We have seen a lot of threads about reasonable adjustments and a very vocal amount of posters who have said they would not allow those requested adjustments, anything from flexible hours, reduced days, specialist equipment, amended duties, sideways transfers, increased sick leave, changes to the office or working environment etc. All of which have been held up in employment tribunals in favour of claimants, and yet the process is still so bloody tedious because many employers know that their disabled employees just do not have the energy or time or money to see this through a tribunal and so they just keep getting away with it.

x2boys · 30/01/2026 13:28

ilikeeggs · 30/01/2026 13:22

I’m a UC claimant as a single parent and joined a few UC help groups on Facebook and Reddit. I have to say from what I’ve seen the vast majority of people claiming for disabilities have depression, anxiety, ADHD or Autism which surprised me a little.

All of those conditions can be very disabling.

MorningActivity · 30/01/2026 13:29

@ScarlettSarah 🫂🫂

turkeyboots · 30/01/2026 13:29

If you are claiming with multiple conditions do DWP record them alphabetically? There are a lot of A named conditions in those lists...

PotsPies · 30/01/2026 13:30

ScarlettSarah · 30/01/2026 13:26

Thank you, that's kind of you.

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Posts like yours changed my mind completely about MH conditions

Ladyfromthehill · 30/01/2026 13:30

TigerRag · 30/01/2026 13:27

Ive seen some who have just been diagnosed and their first question is what can I claim? Not how do I get support / advice on coping with xyz

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Shockingly, people often by that point struggle so much and already have had plenty of advice on coping and other types of support, and they do need/use the money to get these things.
We got DLA a year and a half after my child's diagnosis and we never heard of it before we applied, and it was so useful to have the money to pay for the support we had already been paying for for a long time. It's not that I wanted my child to be autistic to claim DLA.

willitevergetwarm · 30/01/2026 13:30

I have diagnosed PTSD and take medication for anxiety caused by this. I've had extensive counselling which helped a bit. I get up and go to work every morning as being in my routine helps me stay on an even keel.

Not sure this would work for everyone, but it's worth trying to go down that route with some people depending on the severity of their illness

TheThinkingEconomist · 30/01/2026 13:31

x2boys · 30/01/2026 13:28

All of those conditions can be very disabling.

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It is not the role of the state to pay you for having those conditions in order to stay at home and not work.

Do you not see how absurd that is in economic terms?

You are effectively paying people to be unproductive.

These benefits (at the minimum) should come with work requirements.

Overtheatlantic · 30/01/2026 13:32

organisedadmin · 30/01/2026 12:02

Plus for younger people there is a fair bit to be anxious and depressed about!

I’m an oldie and managed to live through the Cold War without crippling anxiety. Every generation has some kind of threat they are faced with but it’s only in the past decade we’ve seen an explosion of anxiety and depression.

Dontjumptoconclusions · 30/01/2026 13:33

MotherofPufflings · 30/01/2026 12:04

We need to know urgently why so many more people are struggling with their mental health to the extent that they need PIP. What has changed in society to make life so much more difficult for so many people? I'm not convinced that it's all down to poverty and cost of living crisis etc because it seems to be affecting younger adults disproportionately.

I can guarantee that a big percentage of this would be as a result of social media, but there's no way of quantifying this.
Young people looking online at people doing gym workouts, 4am routines, starting businesses, looking a type of way, going on luxury holidays etc and the algorithm only exacerbates what is viewed. Not to mention some nasty comments that are posted for the world to see. It makes young people think they are useless if they aren't doing this one specific thing. Older generations didn't know what others were doing therefore were very happy carrying on with life without the ugly comparison trap.

I wonder how much depression and anxiety would be removed if social media was banned for the more impressionable ages - under 18s or under 25s, but I don't think we would ever know.

NorthXNorthWest · 30/01/2026 13:33

PurpleLovecats · 30/01/2026 11:58

Years of chronic underfunding of MH services. It will therefore take years of investment to reverse this.

There isn't investment at the moment, just payments.

Most (not all) of the people claiming could work but may believe they can't. I think we need to start thinking of system which is predominantly vouchers, services and time limits rather than direct payments which should be the absolute minimum.

There is only so much you can expect tax payers to contribute no matter what their salary level.

x2boys · 30/01/2026 13:33

TigerRag · 30/01/2026 13:27

Ive seen some who have just been diagnosed and their first question is what can I claim? Not how do I get support / advice on coping with xyz

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Same on the DLA groups, people trying to claim for very tenuous reasons, when they hsvent even approached a health care professional ,they are usually unsuccessful though.

Cakeontheflo · 30/01/2026 13:33

There is very little help for MH issues available.

Badbadbunny · 30/01/2026 13:35

EuclidianGeometryFan · 30/01/2026 13:25

Easy, make the UBI a pittance - the same level as current Job Seekers Allowance. No-one wants to live on that; it can hardly be called 'living' as it is just existing and scraping by.
Most people would want to earn more to have a better life.
Those that don't can enjoy their poverty.

It is a different question as to whether UBI should be topped up by a) housing benefit and b) disability benefits.

There is an argument for top-up disability benefits for specific things like wheelchairs, adapted cars, special diets, home adaptations, etc, but not getting more than JSA/UBI just because you can't work.

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UBI fails as a viable concept the moment you add in top ups for housing costs and disabilities. The whole philosophy of it falls down when it becomes different amounts for different people.

x2boys · 30/01/2026 13:35

Overtheatlantic · 30/01/2026 13:32

I’m an oldie and managed to live through the Cold War without crippling anxiety. Every generation has some kind of threat they are faced with but it’s only in the past decade we’ve seen an explosion of anxiety and depression.

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Tbf ,though in times gone past we didnt have 24 hour news coverage
All those daily updates of infection rates and death wont have helped.

takingthepissoutofme · 30/01/2026 13:35

x2boys · 30/01/2026 13:10

They will still need proof,
Sometimes its paper based, they are unlikely to hsve to see my son when he transfers to PIP in a few months becsuss we have absolutely tons of evidence that hes severely autistic is non verbal etc and we hsve loads of professionals involved.

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I had a telephone assessment and it was really bad, she was just reading off a sheet. I got denied when i have a physical disability, not enough descriptor points, which is fair enough.

But I know people who claim for things, where they have really played on the mental health side of it (and openly boasted about it several times) and are receiving PIP, do not work and have always declared they will never work, why should they when the system gives them what they want, with PIP plus UC for 4 children, but also go out every weekend, order take aways several times a week, have their hair extensions done, nails, brows, etc, take Mounjaro paid for privately and wear designer clothes.

Shrinkhole · 30/01/2026 13:36

The only way to reduce the PIP bill is to change the criteria so that less people are eligible. Labour just tried to do that and had to do a big old U turn on it so probably not gonna happen.

PIP is an in work benefit (10% claiming work) and not means tested. It’s on the basis of need so I’m not too sure how having better access to therapy (although in itself a good thing) will help? As a PP said a person could have therapy and cope better but would still have ASD or schizophrenia and have eligible needs for PIP. Anyway PIP is about 8% of the total bill so not sure why it gets all the headlines

It’s UC that is the vast majority of the bill and apparently about 40% of claimants are excused looking for work due to limited capacity for work/ work related activities.

Those are the people I’d be targeting. I’d make it harder to get into that group and be offering them coaching, therapies, OT etc. Many of them might welcome it. Some wouldn’t.

scottishgirl69 · 30/01/2026 13:36

TheBlueKoala · 30/01/2026 11:37

"PIP benefits explosion: Anxiety and depression handouts have nearly TRIPLED to £4.3bn since Covid - with autism and ADHD bill hitting £2.2bn and 'back pain' £1.6bn"

Something is not right here. When I have written before on here telling about people I know who claim for anxiety although they have rich social lives (funded by 440£ extra per month from PIP) I've had many people telling me that it's not possible etc. It sure is. How many 16 year olds are claiming PIP for anxiety?

Instead of benefits why not pay for therapy- invest massively in the NHS mental health support so that people with anxiety, adhd and autism can see a therapist regularly to help them. This would make a difference for tje individual and the society. Throwing out money won't.

AINBU- I agree with about
AIBU- No, extra money is always useful

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15510221/PIP-benefits-anxiety-depression-austism-ADHD-pain-Covid-Labour.html

I get the Scottish equivalent of Pip (for a limited time period) because I have ptsd and because of an accident. I certainly don't have a rich social life.

It would maybe be helpful if you weren't quoting from the Daily Mail as your only source. Pip isn't easy to get

Pip and adp also help people with disabilities stay in work - that's something that many people forget.

I have had therapy btw and I'm on medication as well - I still have ptsd

TheThinkingEconomist · 30/01/2026 13:38

scottishgirl69 · 30/01/2026 13:36

I get the Scottish equivalent of Pip (for a limited time period) because I have ptsd and because of an accident. I certainly don't have a rich social life.

It would maybe be helpful if you weren't quoting from the Daily Mail as your only source. Pip isn't easy to get

Pip and adp also help people with disabilities stay in work - that's something that many people forget.

I have had therapy btw and I'm on medication as well - I still have ptsd

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PIP has been a failure in helping people stay in work.

83% are not in work.

Do you find this acceptable?

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 30/01/2026 13:38

ADHD and being depressed and or anxious or significantly overweight are not disabilities

My dd has been made very disabled by ADHD. Very. Ever heard of ND burnout? She’s on full PIP and LCWR

What’s your PhD in?

waywardways · 30/01/2026 13:38

NeverSeenThatColourBlue · 30/01/2026 13:09

SD16 has been claiming DLA for the last few years and has put in a claim for PIP and I'm wondering how easy it actually is.

SD is perfectly capable in all areas. She's excelling at school, she has many hobbies which she is very engaged in and has Grades and Awards in, she's fit, healthy and independent. She's an excellent baker and is always making some complicated new recipe with caramel or melted chocolate or both. She travels across the country by train often. She volunteers with children, and is applying for part-time jobs alongside her studies.

However, she's quite averse to washing and has to be reminded to shower, occasionally gets engrossed in an activity and doesn't eat for a while, and uses a timer on the Echo Dot to remind her when to get things out of the oven or start cooking things to be ready at the right time. She has a phone alarm to remind her to take her meds. She wants to wear baggy joggers and a hoodie everywhere and never wears a coat (although she has no issue wearing uniforms for her various activities and school). She's dyslexic and if she has the option to get someone else to read and summarise something, she will. Based on this, she thinks she will score:

Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal. 2 points.
Needs prompting to be able to take nutrition. 4 points.
Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes no more than 3.5 hours a week. 2 points.
Needs supervision or prompting to be able to wash or bathe. 2 points.
Prompting or assistance to be able to select appropriate clothing. 2 points.
Needs prompting to be able to read or understand basic written information. 4 points.

=16 points, higher rate.

I think she's a completely healthy and competent 16 yo who uses completely normal strategies, like reminders on her phone, to stay organised.

But she's adamant that she knows other people with similar needs to her and they also get higher rate.

If that's the case, I do think it's ridiculous. The DLA is spent (and PIP will be spent) on day trips, holidays and nights out. Her argument is that people with ADHD get bored more easily and so she needs to go to theme parks and concerts regularly!

FWIW I also have ADHD and wouldn't dream of trying to get money for it.

She definitely would not get 16 ergo enhanced rate care. It's not as simple as telling them I need an aid for cooking and they just tick a box. Who prescribed the aid and for what medical reasons is this required. Same for needing help with medication, what is the medical condition that causes you issue with taking medication yourself? My DC has severe LDs and is on 17 medications a day and despite DWP knowing this and having the proof (he was awarded DLA aged 3 months) the assessor was saying that as he doesn't have a problem with his hands that he should be able to manage to open blister packs.

PotsPies · 30/01/2026 13:39

TheThinkingEconomist · 30/01/2026 13:38

PIP has been a failure in helping people stay in work.

83% are not in work.

Do you find this acceptable?

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I assume the 83% can't work

TheAutumnCrow · 30/01/2026 13:39

turkeyboots · 30/01/2026 13:29

If you are claiming with multiple conditions do DWP record them alphabetically? There are a lot of A named conditions in those lists...

That’s the suspicion. ASD, Autism, Anxiety, Back Pain, Cancer, Depression …

And crap labelling to order, for political purposes. ‘Don’t say Degenerative Spinal Disease, say Back Pain!’

x2boys · 30/01/2026 13:39

TheThinkingEconomist · 30/01/2026 13:31

It is not the role of the state to pay you for having those conditions in order to stay at home and not work.

Do you not see how absurd that is in economic terms?

You are effectively paying people to be unproductive.

These benefits (at the minimum) should come with work requirements.

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Again ( for the umpteenth time) it goes off need ,my son has autism he wont ever work because he can't even speak at nearly 16 he has the cognitive ability of a toddler,
However many peoole wuth autism will work ,its how those conditions impact a person.

scottishgirl69 · 30/01/2026 13:39

Shrinkhole · 30/01/2026 13:36

The only way to reduce the PIP bill is to change the criteria so that less people are eligible. Labour just tried to do that and had to do a big old U turn on it so probably not gonna happen.

PIP is an in work benefit (10% claiming work) and not means tested. It’s on the basis of need so I’m not too sure how having better access to therapy (although in itself a good thing) will help? As a PP said a person could have therapy and cope better but would still have ASD or schizophrenia and have eligible needs for PIP. Anyway PIP is about 8% of the total bill so not sure why it gets all the headlines

It’s UC that is the vast majority of the bill and apparently about 40% of claimants are excused looking for work due to limited capacity for work/ work related activities.

Those are the people I’d be targeting. I’d make it harder to get into that group and be offering them coaching, therapies, OT etc. Many of them might welcome it. Some wouldn’t.

Lcwra isn't easy to get for mental health issues. I was refused it three times. I have ptsd anxiety and depression and I am much better than I was a few years ago but I was told twice by the dwp that I was fit to work when I was very unwell.

People on lcwra can also work