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?

Thanks for clarifying, didn't realise it was only one category of ESA claimants. Not really sure why not knowing that makes me especially ignorant though. The rules for benefits are complex and always changing.

PIP and LCWRA.

I am aware that PIP is in theory not affected by working. In practice, from what I hear people have working held against them in assessments and I hear of people fearing going into work or increasing their hours while receiving it.

Not sure if regret is the right word but I do feel very stuck on benefits. If I could go back I'd probably fight harder to avoid being ensnared in the system in the first place.

This is probably what the Government would quite like to happen, unfortunately.

Don't succumb to it, renewal is every 3 years not every year and whilst it is stressful, I would always advise going for it, regardless of fear or stress.
Just had mine, nearly a year late due to backlogs. I was very surprised that I actually went up to enhanced daily living.

Being able to work, get yourself ready for work and get to & from a place of work does show a level of independence that isn’t necessarily conducive to scoring well on the PIP assessment.

Indeed, I Imagine it would be tricky to successfully claim PIP for mobility issues if you are a coal miner or professional dancer but for the most part it is unrelated.

I work full time just from my computer. I work remotely, my team is supposed to go into the office one day a week but I am not expected to if I cannot manage it.

@ParrotPirouette

Don't succumb to it, renewal is every 3 years not every year

There is no set renewal time. It can be a year, it can be 3 or more. My current award is for 10 - it is ADP in Scotland not PIP but it was the same pre ADP

This is actually true. The DWP tried to say that I could do certain things because I work (one day per week spread over five days and most of that at home with 100% flexible hours). The tribunal put them right on that one.

It was pretty upsetting to have my job held against me. I've clung onto the remnants of my career at great personal cost and I'm very aware that if I'm ever able to increase my hours it may affect my PIP award, even if my overall condition remains unchanged.

My apologies, I was under the impression that PIP is awarded for 3 years, the gov website says:

PIP reviews
The length of time that PIP is awarded is based upon each claimant’s individual circumstances. PIP awards can vary in length. The shortest award is 9 months. The longest is an ongoing award with a ‘light touch’ review at 10 years.