Disgraceful

My husband has Cerebral Palsy. This affects him in his walking, hand-eye coordination, balance, fine motor movements and memory. Here in the UK there is a benefit payment that he is entitled to, it is called Disability Living Allowance. He had been claiming this benefit for four years. All of a sudden after renewing this years claim, he was downright refused the benefit. Apparently he is not disabled enough, all of a sudden. He is currently appealing the decision, which is a very lengthy process. In order to have the appeal, he needs to produce “evidence” of his disability and why he should be entitled to the benefit.

In the news lately, that has been reports of an increase in drug addicts and alcoholics claiming for Disability Living Allowance, and getting it. This infuriated me. Now I must explain I have no problem with drug addicts and alcoholics getting some sort of help to cure their addictions, but why should they get the disability benefit? Drug/alcoholic addiction is not a disability. How would extra money help them? I am going to play devil’s advocate and say some of these people use their benefit money to buy more drugs and alcohol. What these people need is help to beat their addictions. Instead of giving them money, which may go towards funding their addictions, why not fund support groups, rehab and clinics? Anything that will help them in a positive manner.

Drug and alcohol addiction are self-inflicted. I am annoyed that the government is rewarding self-inflicted pain and suffering when individuals like my husband that genuinely are entitled get turned down for the benefit and have to go through a stressful, dragged out appeal process. Maybe the government are trying to “make an example” out of my husband and other claimants to show the British people that not everybody can get it and that they are cracking down on people “working the system”. The thing is, they are turning down people with genuine disabilities and that is certainly not fair.

I have learned a lot about the benefit system during the past year. It is an unfair system that rewards layabouts and scrutinises people who really do need the money. No wonder so many people are turning their backs on the UK. Something needs to be sorted out. I will continue to help Sean fight his case until his benefit is reinstated. We are getting help with the appeal from a wonderful disability advocacy team, they said Sean’s case has a good chance. I hope they are right.