Disabled people in Kent still fear a ‘two-tier’ benefits system despite the government’s recent u-turn on welfare reforms.
They say that although changes have been halted for existing recipients, new rules will apply to claimants from November next year.
It will make it harder to claim for the personal independence payment (PIP) which is currently being paid to 3.7million people with long-term physical or mental health conditions.
Campaigners for those affected gathered in Dartford on Saturday to share views and experiences.
Former teacher Antonia Stoneman, who is in constant pain from ME and fibromyalgia, said: “I don’t know what disabled people have to do to be believed by the people they voted into government.
“Where is that support? Where is that care from the party that said it would look after normal people – it’s devastating.”
Emma Hester, a senior science technician at a secondary school, would have lost her PIP before the government u-turn.
She said: “It’s worrying. I don’t want to receive it (the PIP) but I need it for taxis to get to work.
“If I lost my PIP I would have to give up my current work. There’s not enough in place for disabled people and we are already living in a world that is stacked against us.”
Dartford MP Jim Dickson said that into the future claimants will receive “significant support”.
He added: “People who receive PIP will continue to receive PIP and into the future there will be a new system and people will be assessed under that new system but will get significant support to get into work and increase their income.”
Laura Hope Cordell, Volunteer Executive Director, of the (Dartford) Kindness Community CIC said: “It is absolutely a two tier system – how is that fair?”
The government hoped to shave £5bn from the welfare bill and ease pressure on the healthcare system through reforms to the universal credit and personal independence payment system to stem the rise in claimants.
Working age health-related benefits are estimated to cost more than £30m extra by 2029 with reforms.
