Letters: I panic every time I hear from the DWP. It tells you all you need to know about the system

Readers react to our article on the DWP, plus pension credits, wealth tax and what it’s like to leave the care system with no support.

DWP assessments

Readers respond to our article on the reality of dealing with the DWP.

I was born with spina bifida, a lifelong disability, never done that walking thing, and got other things as a result. The fact that even I go into a panic every time I see that brown envelope come through my door should tell people all they need to know about the system.

@markorollo, Instagram

Despicable. My dad was paraplegic and worked hard to avoid having to claim anything as he knew he probably couldn’t qualify even if he needed it. It is embarrassing to explain to my Austrian partner how such things work here compared to the more advanced countries.

@queenofebor, Instagram

Shocking way to treat people. And all the focus on the ‘economically inactive’, including those with disabilities and long-term illness, instead of focusing on people like the ones who rake in profits while polluting our waterways, etc. The problem isn’t sick/disabled people; the problem is billionaires!

@apositiveviewoftiverton, Instagram

Always remember my mum having to go on disability benefits for motor neurone and that was hard for her to get. At the assessment centre, she also witnessed a man who struggled to walk have to slide up the stairs on his bum as all the assessment rooms were on the first floor. They even asked her if she could walk up but she had lost the use of her legs by then and we had to jump through hoops to get an
accessible assessment.

@rebeccavu100, Instagram

• ‘DWP has learnt nothing’: DWP sparks fury by seizing woman’s £16k inheritance over Co-op job
• Abuse survivor tried to take her own life after years-long battle with DWP over disability benefits
• How to navigate DWP disability benefit applications and PIP assessments

Labour the point

I was astonished that Dan Alliband wrote in that he loves the magazine but is not a Labour voter, even though he is a pensioner. Also going on to bemoan Rachel Reeves even though she has only been in the job a few weeks. But how could you not be a Labour voter Dan! I am one of those high earners you mention – but you won’t catch me moaning about my huge tax bills or voting for the Tories. I want Labour to succeed in the quest to improve people’s lives, not have the Tories make the rich richer. The way forward is not to moan, Dan, but actually support the only party representing people in need. The Tories aren’t going to make your life better, just a lot of people’s lives worse off.

Ann-Marie Doyle, London

Would you credit it?

I have read your article about pension credit with interest. My pension income is too high to claim PC but having a slight disability I applied for, and received, Attendance Allowance. I was advised by Citizens Advice that having AA raises the threshold for getting PC.

I applied in July 2023 and got an email confirming they had received my application but heard nothing more until I got a phone call from the DWP in August 2024 saying they needed more information. They apologised for the delay but didn’t say what had caused it. About a week later I received 13 months back payment in my bank account. Obviously this was useful but taking over a year is totally unacceptable. I thought you should be aware of the delays in receiving PC and include a note in your article.

Margaret Jenkins

The cap should fit

There are some interesting ideas in Emily Chudy’s article on the Brazil billionaire wealth tax, especially the notion of eliminating the social housing backlog. That’s then followed by a load of other nice ideas. The problem is that we are just one nation among many who would benefit, so wealth taxation at the level mooted would be but a pipe dream. The reality is the world doesn’t need billionaires. Cap personal wealth at, say, one zero less and that’s still a huge number for an individual. Sadly I think it would trigger a lot of use of the C word among the less philanthropic individuals who have that much wealth. It ends in “ism” but not of the capital kind.

David Moore, West Lancashire

Care in the world

I too was brought up in foster care, like the two in Greg Barradale’s article. When the relationship broke down when I was 17 I was put in supported lodgings and left basically to fend for myself. It is extremely hard, there was no support, no base/family home to go back to when things weren’t working out. I ended up with the wrong people and got a criminal record which has totally ruined my life.

When I turned 16 I was doing my A levels, but then when leaving care those didn’t work out. I am now 44 with a son and working a dead-end job. I hope the children coming out of care do get more support now, it isn’t their fault they had a bad start and should be given every chance to succeed.

Kerry Wilson, Preston

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about navigating the DWP or any of the other topics raised? Get in touch and tell us more. Big Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the App Store or Google Play.