It’s so unfair!

[BoredOfIsolation]

Those who really desperately need an extra £20/week aren’t getting it.

You’re already moving to exit this thread aren’t you? Thinking “this doesn’t apply to me”.

But it could. And it should scare you that not only is the government treating the sick and disabled badly, but so is society by not challenging the government on their behaviour.

Take sixty seconds to sign the petition and then share it. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/318691

If you have ten minutes to spare then email your MP about it too and ask them to challenge it.

Thank you.

Sorry I don’t understand the problem, I don’t know much about this. Please can you explain what you mean?

@Racoonworld the government gave a £20/week increase to universal credit claimants earlier this year, due to the Covid-19 crisis.

They didn’t give that increase to ESA claimants — which is claimed by those too ill or disabled to work full time or at all. You can’t claim both ESA and UC, it’s one or the other.

As ESA is for the ill/disabled it is likely (though I don’t have proof) that a higher percentage of claimants will be clinically vulnerable/shielders, and so advised to stay at home more, use online shopping etc, with the added costs that brings.

It’s unfair to give ESA claimants less money than UC claimants.

Signed.

@BoredOfIsolation oh I see, I hadn’t realised there was a difference. Yes that is unfair, it should be for everyone. Although maybe it should be for all shielders to allow for thei extra costs?

@Butterer the op said it was needed as shielders have higher costs which is fair enough. So why wouldn’t it be given to all shielders? Why do the non-shielders need it?

@Butterer yes if the problem is that shielders have extra costs at the moment then surely all shielders should get the extra payment regardless of their benefit status. That would surely be fairer.

I don’t know, I don’t know enough about why non-shielders need the extra money. But I agree with the argument that shielders do have extra costs. There’s money being found everywhere, there must be enough to give to shielders to cover this? Just not sure why it makes a difference if their in ESA or not, the costs would be the same if they weren’t.

What do you think should happen @Butterer

Yes, I agree JSA should get the £20/week increase too if it’s possible to claim that still. There should be parity between the three benefits. It’s unfair to give one an increase but not the others. With ESA it seems to me like it’s discrimination as well as being unfair, but I’m not a lawyer etc. Thank you to those who have signed so far.

Coffey is a liar. Benefits used to be uprated annually in line with inflation. If they can do this, they can do the same for the £20 increase.

The problem is there's no one asking these specific questions, no one follows up on the initial response.

I'd ask my MP but he doesn't even respond.