Living on benefits, there’s no extra money to find
I thought I was managing, but I’m actually just surviving. I’m relying on the generosity of friends, using one credit card to pay off another, cutting back on things that help my MS, and worrying about paying bills.
It's just beginning to hit home how tough things are going to get. I'm stuck at home a lot of the time and I'm extremely worried that I am going to get into fuel debt as I try to keep warm. It's a basic need isn't it, not an extravagance.
I’m already in debt, I’ve got an overdraft and my bills are going to increase by more than £150 a month. I’m worried about how I’m going to pay for them.
When you’re living on benefits there’s no extra money to find.
How MS affects me
I was a primary school teacher until I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS 16 years ago. I had two young children and was forced to leave my career. My MS affects many areas of my body. I have mobility issues and extreme fatigue. I don't get relapses any more, it's just progressively getting worse.
I claim Employment Support Allowance and PIP, and the Motability scheme means I can have a car, which is my freedom. Without this I would have no way to get out.
There’s things that help – but I can’t afford them
I really need to look after myself now. I’m struggling with my mobility and I need physio. It helps with my drop foot and pain in my spine, but I can’t afford it. I need these therapies so I don’t deteriorate further. I want to keep walking.
I can't afford the diet or supplements that are recommended and would benefit my MS. And I've also had to cut out my counselling sessions, which help with the anxiety of coping with a chronic illness.
I find it very hard to do things like clean my house and maintain the garden but I am already struggling to afford help. My daughter is home from university but she is not entitled to a carers allowance.
I feel forgotten and ignored
As a person living with a disability I can't ignore, I feel ignored and forgotten about by the Government. I feel they are not listening and do not seem to care. It’s all about massive profits for big companies – wealth for the few and growing poverty for the many.
The support the government has said it will provide won’t go far enough.
I’m asking the politicians to sort this out. They’ve got the power to do that. I don’t feel I’ve got any power.
But being part of this campaign is giving me some power.
Tell the UK Government: it’s time to act
Sign our petition to call on the UK Government to urgently roll out a new cost of living package to support people with MS to survive the winter and beyond.
You don't have to face challenges alone. Find out about extra financial support you could get, as well as disability benefits.
You can also speak to our MS Benefits Advisor through our MS Helpline on 0808 800 8000 or email [email protected].
