Hardest Hit: The Tipping Point

The report brings together a survey of over 4,500 disabled people, a poll of more than 350 independent welfare advisors, and more than 50 in-depth interviews with disabled people with varying conditions and impairments.

It reveals some shocking statistics:

• nearly 9 in 10 (87 per cent) disabled people said their everyday living costs are significantly higher because of their condition
• more than three quarters (78 per cent) of disabled people said their health got worse as a result of the stress caused by their Work Capability Assessment (WCA) for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• two thirds (65 per cent) of disabled people felt that ESA assessors did not understand their condition
• nearly 9 in 10 (87 per cent) welfare advisors said the constant re-assessments for benefits are damaging people’s health
• 9 in 10 (90 per cent) welfare advisors said that too many disabled people are slipping through the net and are left without adequate support by the welfare system.