Does anyone regret going on disability benefits?

[LemonStork]

Speaking as a disabled person who struggles to work, I feel like if you're able to do some work, it's heavily discouraged to apply for disability benefits. There's this idea of 'benefit dependency' pushed heavily by the government and the idea that anyone who isn't actively dying should be focusing on supporting themselves through work instead. But do many people feel like going on disability benefits (if you actually get approved - I know it's an onerous process for many) has actually made them 'dependent' and worse off? Or is being poor and dependent on others actually the result of the disability rather than the benefits?

I would have thought that the majority of disabled people on these benefits, who are unable to work, would rather be working, than trying to eke a living out on what little they are given.

I get PIP, I work full time. I have no idea what you mean, it’s not a fucking choice!

Many people work full time and receive PIP.

OP can you clarify if you are including PIP in this, as I thought that you meant ESA. As people are saying you can be in receipt of PIP, and work full time. So I don't see how those people can be who you are talking about.

I am not sure I quite understand what you are asking.

Same. I've paid well over 35 years tax and NI. I'm a productive member of society, including doing pro bono work for others.

My PIP money covers the extra costs of my disabilities: extra gas & electricity, taxis for medical appointments (can't drive now), adapted tech and furniture for home use, some disability aids, some aspects of a special diet, an occasional cleaner/shopper, OTC medicines that the GP recommends but won't prescribe because of ICB rules, etc.

So you don't mean PIP, right, OP?

Which, btw, is a fucking nightmare to (a) get in the first place, and (b) keep.

The reason disabled people get pip is to enable them to work. It allows them to be on the starting line with everyone else.

Sorry I was supposed to be quoting @ParrotPirouette who said she works full-time.

But do many people feel like going on disability benefits (if you actually get approved - I know it's an onerous process for many) has actually made them 'dependent' and worse off? Yes, disability benefits are so ridiculously low that anyone on them is worse off compared to when they were able to work, or if they had been able to work.

Or is being poor and dependent on others actually the result of the disability rather than the benefits? Yes. It is always the result of the disabilities. It’s not a chicken and egg quandary, the disabilities always come first. You can’t get disability benefits until after you have been disabled for months and a doctor says it will last at least another year.

The government is also being sneaky by reporting the % of disability claimants who have depression as if that were their primary or only disability. The fact is that most claimants who are claiming for depression, it isn’t their primary or only disability as many life limiting disabilities that prevent work will also cause depression. Living in poverty on disability benefits with no way to improve your financial situation or your health will also cause depression.

I assumed the OP meant ESA or UC with disability element not PIP.

I guess - but those people on UC could still be working full-time.

It's ESA that's got that weird ceiling, a bit like the mess that is Carers' Allowance*

*Sorry, I haven't a clue where the DWP is putting the apostrophe this week

It would be helpful if the OP defined their parameters.

Well, if they have paid enough NI and meet the stringent criteria, a person will be entitled to contribution based ESA. Why would anyone regret claiming that? Would you ask the same of everyone who claims state pension?

Is this yet another disability benefits bashing thread in disguise?🥱

Oh, I meant the areas where UC + disability element has replaced ESA. It’s so hard to be clear as the Government is constantly tinkering with the benefits.

Back to the OP question
Does anyone regret going on disability benefits?

I don’t think regret applies. It’s like asking does anyone regret getting cancer? or does anyone regret being born? it’s not like you have a choice in the matter!

This is me, I have an ESA application in to cover the months of my cancer treatments. It does look like it might have been intended to be a bashing thread…

Editing to add: and yes, I have depression because of the cancer and fearing I might be dead this time next year…

Yeah, you can technically work full time either on PIP or LCWRA. But in practice, I know there are people who fear working more because it could affect their benefits.

Obviously for some people there is no real choice, but there are plenty of people who receive PIP and/or LCWRA who are in comparable circumstances to some other people who don't. Some people are too prideful to claim, find the forms too difficult, etc. Perhaps people don't want to talk about this because the attacks on benefits mean it's easier to argue 'people don't have a choice'. But as a disabled person who can't reliably work full time who has also never received disability benefits for a variety of reasons... Well, applying for disability benefits is a choice for me. A difficult one.

Yeah, you can technically work full time either on PIP or LCWRA. But in practice, I know there are people who fear working more because it could affect their benefits

How many hours you work or how much you earn has no bearing on PIP.

What is it you want from this thread @LemonStork ?

I am so sorry you are ill. I really hope things work out for you.

But as a disabled person who can't reliably work full time who has also never received disability benefits for a variety of reasons... Well, applying for disability benefits is a choice for me. A difficult one.

You probably would not qualify for anything other than PIP. Disability benefits are not easy to get and anyone who only lives on disability benefits- the people you are talking about in the OP- guaranteed these people have no choice.

people who fear working more because it could affect their benefits

No, I think the disabled people who can work a bit fear working more because it will adversely affect their health. That’s why they are concerned about benefits cuts- being forced to work when it will make you more sick is the concern.

I think you sound quite muddled, OP, which tbf is not surprising given the complexity of the benefits system, all the dis- and misinformation out there, and the recent and proposed changes.

You have nothing to lose by claiming PIP. It is not means-tested. If you want help, start somewhere like the Benefits & Work website - there is a big and helpful free section on there; you don't have to pay - and have a good old read. That's what I did.

You can also ask specific questions on MN and posters who have been through the process will try to help.

Well, Pip allows you to have that while still working because it’s supposed to pay for things like getting you an adapted car if you need that to help you get to work plus I think you get help to access to work as well extra funds for disability.
However LCWRA element of universal credit is totally different. That is if you are too sick to work if you are getting that element and you are working then I would say you are not sick enough.
I say that because I get both and there is no way right now with the various amount of cellulitis I keep getting that I could go and sustain work because I have carers that come to my house. The t two things are very different.

But they should allow u to trial work to see if when you get LCWRA if u can manage it without losing that element for say maybe a couple of months then if you can work and you know you have tried it then you would lose it and I think that would be fair because that is for if you are too sick to work

God yeah, I totally regret claiming money to live on because I went blind. Stupid me, what a regrettable choice, to become severely sight impaired and all that entails (hint; it negatively affects every single fucking aspect of my life and you can have no idea unless you've lived it). Silly me!

I am fucking sick of blatant and illegal discrimination against disabled people, from the public, from the actual government. What is your point, OP? What sort of society would you prefer, one that lets people slip through the net and die unless they work 45 hours a week from age 16 to 75? Well, this society already encourages disabled people to struggle and literally get left to die, and it is fucking criminal.

Imagine not being heard, not being safe, not being valued, having no discernible way to mould your future.
It's backwards and offensive and unnecessary. Anyone can become infirm or disabled at any time. Even you.

Should we regret trying to get some money towards eating, paying bills and existing? Or snap up all the other rosy and golden opportunities amply handed out on a plate to people with additional needs due to no fault of their own? What exactly are you implying, with this word, regret?