Meanwhile, 47% of the public believe that changes to the disability benefits system will increase the number of people with long-term health conditions requiring NHS support.
Mikey Erhardt, campaigner at Disability Rights UK, said: “These dangerous cuts are putting the health of the nation at risk. We know that if MPs wave these reckless measures through, then the stark number of people at risk of homelessness will only continue to rise.”
Some 31% of disability benefit recipients believe they could be at risk of homelessness.
Sarah is among those fearing she could be unable to afford rent if the government’s plans for welfare cuts go ahead and she loses financial support.
She is claiming personal independence payment (PIP) and the health element of universal credit, which are both set to be impacted by the cuts.
Around 800,000 people are set to lose support through Labour’s plans to tighten the eligibility criteria of this benefit. Meanwhile, the health element of universal credit is due to be frozen for current claimants and slashed in half for new claimants.
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“It’s very anxiety-inducing,” says 40-year-old Sarah, who recently completed a degree in psychology and sociology. “It puts me in a very difficult position.”
Sarah faced an accident as a teenager which has left her with multiple health conditions including nerve damage, curvature of the spine, PTSD, hyper-mobility, anxiety, and an issue with her right eardrum.
But despite her complex health needs, she has faced challenges to getting disability benefits throughout her life and has had to go through the “traumatic” process of appealing to get them back. She worries she will once again be faced with losing her benefits if Labour’s changes come into place.
PIP helps Sarah pay for healthcare which she cannot get on the NHS, such as physiotherapy and massage therapy. “That’s not a luxury for me. That’s for me to basically live,” she says.
Her bills have increased during the cost of living crisis, and her rent has gone up every year – despite her facing multiple housing issues such as mice, damp, flooding and debris. Her housing situation, coupled with the fear of losing her benefits, has led to anxiety attacks and worsening health.
“Benefits are a lifeline. It’s not something to take for granted,” Sarah says.
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The government has said that the welfare system should “support people into work and out of poverty“. It has claimed “the system is currently failing people” and has so far remained focused on pushing forward its reforms, with the vote still scheduled for next week.
Starmer may soften the plans for disability benefit cuts to appease MPs, but Erhardt said: “No concessions or minor mitigations will make these dangerous cuts safe. They will make disabled people even more reliant on a social housing system where waiting times can reach 47 years for some disabled people.”
Disabled households need an additional £1,010 a month to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households, according to disability charity Scope.
Erhardt added: “These cuts will soon be voted on next week, and the time is running out for MPs to take a stand and force the government to withdraw this bill.”
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