Last week we passed the 4,000 mark for the number of people who ‘​Like’​ us on Facebook, a big vote of confidence for what is a very small organisation.

We want to say a special thank you to ‘​A Way of Seeing’​, who set up and now maintain our Facebook page as well as supplying and editing images for our website.

As a small thank you to everyone who has supported us on Facebook, Benefits and Work and A Way of Seeing are offering some free giveaways. The winners will be drawn from people who have liked our Facebook page by next Thursday, so it’​s still not too late to take part.

Prizes include 5 free Benefits and Work annual subscriptions and two Limited Edition Prints, of the winners’​ choice, from the current collection “​On the Waterfront”​ which can be viewed either on A Way of Seeing Facebook page or on their website www.awayofseeing.org.uk .

Below is a selection of feedback about the Benefits and Work website left by Facebook members on our Facebook ‘​wall’​.

“​Good to see you on Facebook. The more people who are aware of Benefits and work the better. I have been a subscriber for 2 years now .Following the advice and tips Your site provided I successfully claimed the benefits which give me quality of life. Through your site I have been able to help others struggling through the benefits maze. I would encourage anyone to subscribe.”​

“​My son has just had his DLA increased from middle rate care to high rate with low rate mobility, thanks to Steve and the Benefit and Work website for helping with the forms, the best £​18 I'​ve spent. Everyone out there please join the group if you can, you won'​t regret it, the information is invaluable.”​

“​I have fibromyalgia and i have been given middle rate care and high rate Mobility. It took me a long time to get this but I could never of done it without benefits and work they helped me , thank you so much.”​

“​Hi I'​m only 37 but have been medically retired and have had to fight for every penny of my benefits when I was at my weakest and lowest ebb, Benefits &​ Work has been a life-line to me thank you Steve and co so much for all that you do.”​

“​The information I have received since joining has been invaluable. Even though money is tight, you can'​t afford not to be a member, especially since the cut back in advice centres this year.”​

“​A brilliant bunch of guys - really helped me when i most needed it - can'​t recommend them highly enough.”​

“​With your help, I was awarded full dla components, and am in the esa support group for now, with no medical! thank you so much for giving me the information i needed :)”​

“​So far I have found the information B&​W website provides absolutely brilliant, keep up the good work guys.”​

“​Very informative site, a '​must read'​ before any form filling , will help enormousl​y.”​

“​Fantastic Support from this site, Well done and many, many thanks to all who run it and provide the helpful information :-) Hat off to you guys.”​

“​Thank you for all your help and advice. The Benefit Agencies applications are like a mine field these days - with your help I'​m slowly getting sorted out. Good luck with face book!”​

“​Keep up the brilliant work. You offer great advice to the people that really need it. When you are trying to fight a disability that is ruining your life its’​ hard to fight a system in order to make things a little easier. Without the great advice from the B &​ W Team the system would have taken help away from us.”​

“​Thank you so much for all the help and advice you give, who would there be to speak for those who cannot, without your site so many would be in deep despair. Again thank you xx”​

“​A subscription to this terrific website is essential for any disabled person, especially when war is being declared on us by so many.”​

“​I think you are doing a brilliant job!”​

“​This is a great help people and plenty of info no spam just facts.”​

“​The wealth of info on B&​W is like no other and is of great benefit to all.”​

“​Keep up the good work, your reports and advice are always very clear - well done.”​

“​Benefits and Work are an excellent site full of positive information. I recommend it to everyone who is in need of advice.”​

“​A big thanks to you all at Benefits and Work, my mum suffers from M.E, Fibromyalgia and arthritis of the spine yet was declared fit for work after her assessment! With the support of you guys she felt more confident in appealing and surprise, surprise she won... it is disgusting that they are making people who genuinely cannot work suffer all this stress, thank goodness for support networks such as yours!”​

“​Thank you for being a place where the help promised is actually delivered. although I got my dla before joining you after reading your help and advice pages I would have saved myself at least 3 or 4 days reading and rereading the claims pack if I had had the benefit of your advice then. well worth the money.”​

“​At last somewhere to talk to people and not feel so alone.”​

“​Benefits and work are a godsend to people that would have been fobbed off if this kind of help and support were not available. giving the vulnerable a voice. thank you.”​

“​Keep up the good work guys.”​

“​A most excellent and helpful organisation, thanks to all there, we have just won two appeals one at tribunal level.”​

“​Well done your site is the best, keep going strong.”​

“​Good luck to you here and I hope you spread the word far and wide!”​

“​Hi a mate recommended this site to me a few months ago. I have just been awarded ESA after 3 months of filling in all forms. Thank you so much for your advice don'​t think I would have got through the medical without it. My condition is degenerative and is progressing quickly to my Dr'​s surprise now I am going to apply for DLA with guidance from the site and will let you know how I get on.”​

“​My forms had just arrived and I looked on the internet for help. I got the best advice possible from Benefits and work and will spread the links as much as I can.”​

“​Without the mobility component of DLA my wife and I would be practically housebound. people seem to forget the mental stress this can cause on top of any physical disabilities you may have, and the extra suffering caused. So keep up the good work B &​ W.”​

“​hi everybody I'​m a member of benefits and work, it'​s well worth becoming a member cos the info and support they give you is excellent.”​

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    MariW · 11 hours ago
    I hope this message won’t hurt or offend anybody.
     
    I’d like to urge parents/ guardians of disabled children currently in receipt of DLA to participate in the consultation process regarding the “reform” of PIP for people of working age:

    Having read the Green Paper and the proposals to remove or reduce cash payments in favour of a system based on vouchers, catalogues, and receipts, I fear that disabled children currently eligible for DLA will come to dread the approach of their sixteenth birthday. The removal of cash payments and the choices that money provides could block a school leaver proceeding successfully through college or university or a very seriously disabled young adult being cared for in their family home rather than a residential care home. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Kitty · 1 days ago
    Why would anyone want to help the dwp answer these questions it's there insane ideas not ours. It's like asking a condemned man to help build his own gallows. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MariW · 5 hours ago
      @Bern400 You are right. However, what if a claimant is blind, unable to use a keyboard, or has learning difficulties? Many disabled people are unable to participate in the consultation. I can scarcely sit in front of a screen now. Writing full and, I hope, intelligent answers was incredibly difficult.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Bern400 · 1 days ago
      @Kitty If disabled people don't make their voice heard on this matter, the tories will spin the narrative by claiming the consultation shows the need to restrict eligibility and remove cash payments for PIP. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bern400 · 1 days ago
    I've emailed the following letter to both my MP and to the Green Paper Consultation team.  I urge everyone on here to do the same. Cut and paste the below text and email it to: consultation.modernisingsupport@dwp.gov.uk

    Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride's sweeping and significant policy changes to disability benefits to reduce welfare spending, including withdrawing cash support for individuals with mental health conditions is a ragbag of random, cruel and foolish ideas thrown together by the DWP to serve the political needs of the Conservative Party, without any likelihood of any of them being acted upon.

    The Green Paper is simply intended to make the current administration look tough on claimants whilst goading the opposition into speaking out against it, thereby supposedly making them look soft on welfare.  The fact that it is causing enormous distress to many disabled claimants and their carers is of no concern to the DWP or the Conservative Party.

    The changes, which will particularly affect those with mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, have been proposed as an attempt to revolutionise the benefits system. However, this amounts to nothing less than a “reckless assault” on disabled individuals, which will have a significant impact on their well-being and ability to survive financially. 

    The proposed reforms, outlined in the Green Paper, signal a departure from the existing personal independence payments (PIP) in favour of new eligibility criteria and assessments, which would seriously alter the types of support available for disabled people who receive the benefit.  It’s hard to have any faith that this consultation is about anything other than cutting the benefits bill, no matter the impact.

    Much of the worklessness issues the Prime Minister speaks about are due to our crumbling public services, poor quality jobs and increasing rates of poverty. Not because of a so-called ‘mental health culture’ that’s gone too far.  This is clearly an opportunity for the government to sound tough, but it is on the backs of people who are already facing huge challenges financially as well as with their health. 

    The reality is that most people in receipt of PIP are unable to work, with more than a third of PIP recipients in workless households unable to keep their home warm and over 40% experienced food insecurity, worse levels than other workless households, in a benefits system this government designed.  The scheme they now say isn’t working is their scheme. They designed it and put it in place and now 14 years later they say it’s not working so there’s an element of farce to it.

    This latest performative cruelty of attacking those with mental health problems may win the tories a few votes from the more rabidly right wing of the Conservative base. Still, it is unlikely that, as a government, they will ever survive to enact them because they will lose the majority of the disabled vote at the forthcoming general election. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Bern400 · 10 hours ago
      @CaroA Even though the tories will lose the forthcoming election this year, it's vital that disabled people tell labour not to even consider implementing any of these cruel and foolish proposals. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      CaroA · 18 hours ago
      @Bern400 Thank you Bern400 beautifully written piece I just hope somebody somewhere will take some of what you've said onboard.  Thanks for copying this to us it's much appreciated. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bronc · 1 days ago
    It would be really helpful if Benefits and Work could provide some guidance to help disabled people complete this survey.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bronc · 1 days ago
    Response submitted. As a community we need to encourage as many people/organizations to respond to this evil attempt to attack disabled people further.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sasha · 1 days ago
    They are dirty tricks - similar happened to me 10 years ago when I got a job after being on ESA. I called DWP and cancelled the ESA, but they didn’t cancel it - it took me a while to realise I was still receiving ESA payments, not just a salary, 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Lucy · 2 days ago
    Took part. I was loosing the will to live answering the ridiculous questions. I’m finding this whole idea stressful I have had breast cancer, I am on long term meds for this which has caused my osteoarthritis to spiral, I now need 2 thumb joint replacements, I have chronic pain and my anxiety is through the roof and then I have to fight for some money because when I started work at 18  I thought I was retiring at 60 not having to fight for a bit of help after years of paying into the system! 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sarahjane · 2 days ago
    I disagree with the government,they seem to attack the disabled,our government gives aid and money to other countries,has any country come to our aid??? The government are making the disabled pay for there mistakes, I am registered disabled and I am concerned that the motability scheme will end then wat???
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Leon · 2 days ago
    Hi guys it took me over 3 hours to answer the questions in the survey but it's important we make it clear that taking away our online lifeline should never be an option. 

    Disabled people need to make their voices clear that they do not support this green papers ideas.

    To save you guys some time, i have provided my answers. Feel free to use my answers or to edit the template how you see fit. 

    here is the link to my answers as a PDF on my google drive:


    The Tories DWP are nothing but cruel towards the most vulnerable people. Fill out the survey and let you voice be heard. Thanks,
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      RichardJH · 12 hours ago
      @Leon Many thanks Leon .
      I have amended your .pdf slightly and sent it off, also sent a copy to my local MP who doesn't have any political clout any more since he was booted (Whip removed) from the Labour Party , yes, Jeremy Corbyn. 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      oddjobjan · 19 hours ago
      @Leon That is very thoughtful of you Leon, thank you for doing this. The process of filling the paper in for those on the spectrum was overwhelming. your answers are accurate and well thought out. It will help many people who will now able to copy and paste. Editing their own views if necessary.  The whole thing is  a complete farce. If they stopped producing all of these green papers I can't imagine how many billions they would save . 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Bronc · 1 days ago
      @Leon Thank you for sharing this.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      CCG · 1 days ago
      @Leon Thanks for that document - I was feeling overwhelmed at the idea of answering those (at times) plainly ridiculous questions . Your examples will be a big help!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Kerry · 2 days ago
      @Leon I can't believe they are trying to do this I can't leave my house without a trusted family member with me how would people like me benefit with this new system it's absolutely disgusting 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sandra Bowes-Rennox · 2 days ago
    People are frightened and with good reason..The DWP nothing but bullies.. Well karma will come and it would these Tories well to remember there not invincible.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    David · 2 days ago
    So now the despicable tory party are willing to actually commit a crime if this is taken forward. That is,discrimination against the disabled. No wonder they want to et out of the ECHR. Time to let all mp's know how vile these plans are
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    lyn smith · 2 days ago
    i think it is disgusting no one asks to be disabled now we are being punished for being disabled i have MS stress and worry is not good for people with MS it can make our symptoms worse so the goverment are making our illness worse which is the same for a lot of disabled people.all this goverment think about is saving money and we are the easy target.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      CCG · 1 days ago
      @lyn smith That’s all it is Lyn a pre election attack on an easy target with no regard for the anxiety or distress caused. Dog whistle politics at its worst - lapped up by the right wing press barons!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Wendy · 2 days ago
    Well I don't think they will like my answers on their questionnaire..... 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Angel · 2 days ago
    Sunak is violating human rights, knowing full well the affect all what he has stated will have on Ill and disabled people. It is illegal to attack or bully people so where is the law in all of this? He is opening himself as well as other mps and society at large open to danger.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    SJ · 2 days ago
    The way pip is now causes me anxiety and stress just filling out the forms and wondering if the person who is going to assess me qualified? Do they understand my condition? Etc etc then every single day until the decision arrives I dread the postman and seeing the envelope on the mat. If it gets changed to this new system it’s going to cause me anxiety through the roof both due to my physical and mental health as someone who suffers from PTSD along with depression and anxiety I’m also agoraphobic I have to spend more on medical bits that isn’t covered by prescriptions including personal products, dry shampoos and bath wipes etc the list could go on and on. My council has never allowed me the bedroom exemption so pay £80 pm towards my rent and although I’m under the councils social services dept the most they’ve ever helped me with is to give me a bath support to help me get out of the bath which wouldn’t secure because I had a plastic bath panel so I’ve bought my own and had those bathroom disability items installed at my own expense my council is a waste of time. Part of my physical illness means no matter what the weather is my heating has to stay on so my house stays at a minimum of 23 degrees because any colder effects my body and skin along with my arthritis in my feet and hands. I could go on and on, all this is real and at a cost where I’m not getting my pip money and running around the country drinking, smoking, going on days out and holidays I literally use the money towards my health, but to then on top of the day in dayout pain I’m constantly in due to my condition where every movement is a chore, to on top of everything have to remember to keep receipts and send them in to claim money back? I couldn’t ever do that, no because I’m not genuine because if that’s the route they choose to go I won’t be able to afford it to then wait for the costs back, if they went through the council to get it knowing they won’t even give me the bedroom tax is also a worry as there’s no reason they shouldn’t I’m on top mobility and living. In all as crap as dwp & pip is already if it means choosing one of these routes it’s going to be catastrophic and probably cost the tax payer more to find out when all is said and done it will be like when they tried improving the child support agency which ended up being a nightmare and collapsing altogether. The only thing any party/government should improve with pip is the assessments and getting qualified people to do it and not employ agencies to carry out this work as someone who has been assessed by someone who was a nurse when I asked to be seen by a doctor at a minimum because of my condition! She didn’t even know what my medication was let alone my condition to give me 0 on everything, my money stopped for over 6 months, the stress of having to appeal in house got denied, then go to a tribunal who phoned me on the morning to say don’t bother coming as they’ve already looked at it and were disgusted and gave me more than enough points to get it reinstated and that’s happened twice over the years. I’m lucky that this time round I was awarded it without a issue arising but those periods I’m not ashamed to say I almost took my own life as I had no money I had to get into debt, I couldn’t buy the things I needed medically and it affected me hugely with my mental health because when they stopped my pip it also affected my esa payment amount too. I strongly hope and pray they don’t go down any of these routes as it’s going to be a nightmare for anyone on pip and shocking that with all the laws in place about people with disabilities they’re going to take those rights away to try and improve something that is going to leave many disabled clients in a diabolical condition if they choose one of these routes. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    ShadowCat · 2 days ago
    It just keeps getting worse!!! 
    All their proposals are absolutely crazy and will not help anyone! We’re already in a cost of living crisis and being disabled is expensive. As someone with autism, mental health issues and chronic pain and is unable to work due to mental health. I tend to score low but enough claim daily living PIP. With the new reforms, this would have a great negative impact on my life. The money from PIP can literally cover anything including grocery bill. I claim universal credit as well but that isn’t enough for monthly expenses. Without PIP, I lose my independence, any quality of life at all. I wouldn’t be able to engage in my special interests that literally keep me out of severe depression. Vouchers or choosing where money goes will restrict our independence, affect those with mental health conditions and neurodivergent people who are more likely to need this support. Work well programs do not help people like me. It’s happened before when 100s of autistic clients got left behind without support  because a similar organisation took over and no one could help us. Not everyone is able to work, no matter how much support they get. Vouchers won’t help. Not all disability can be helped with aids or equipment. That’s very restricted. It will take away many peoples independence. These reforms cannot go ahead 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Mark · 2 days ago
    Please remember all that the Tory party cares about is money nothing more nothing less. The disabled are regarded as just a burdan that must be paid as little as possible. 

    The answer, vote for any party that can stop a Tory being elected 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Diana · 2 days ago
    I have bilateral peripheral neuropathy in my legs and hands. I have no balance to walk and fall down quite often just by standing up.  I cannot bath or shower unassisted or prepare meals. I cannot leave my home unless someone takes me. I have to have carers to assist me in all of these tasks. This condition started after a severe trauma 10 years ago. Consequently, I also have compexed PTSD which I have to have to have therapy and medication for. The thought of this crazy system is causing me sever anxiety and stress.  I suffer from depression as a result of my inability to care for myself. I have to pay the local authority for my care package.  I really cannot see how these measures if they get the green paper through will help me. I couldn't pay for my care without the care component and I couldn't go out as I have to pay for the transportation to go anywhere. Therefore, I need the mobility component too. Vouchers for equipment will not assist me at all. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Suzie · 2 days ago
    This is mind boggling, surely it's discrimatory
    I've been on PIP for a few years now, as you get older your medical needs get more challenging
    I've had a quick look through the Green Paper survey
    How on earth are you expected to wade through that. I only got to Page 2, and I thought how on earth can I take part in this consultation. 
    I feel it is being made as difficult and long as possible to put people off. 
    I suggest everyone contacts their MP. It is very easy to do, maybe Benefits and Work could help with this. Maybe they could do an  article on how this is done
    I will certainly contact my MP, they'll all be looking  for your votes, as the General Election will be sometime this year


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MariW · 2 days ago
      @Suzie Concerned that having written to my Labour MP shortly before the publication of the Green Paper, I have only just received a reply from a member of his staff. The communication referrers to the Green Paper and our opportunity to participate in the consultation process. In no way does it clarify the Labour Party position. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anne · 2 days ago
    This is just the last gasp of a government that is panicking so they choose to hammer disability benefits and demonize immigrants. Beyond sickening that they think it will gain them votes but in fact in order to do that they would have to clean up the mess they have made of our nhs, the transport system, schools the list just goes on and on. Also lets not forget the complete absence of trust caused by the covid debacle. They partied, they gave contracts to their mates and then tried to lie about it. This is just a green paper, the first step and they know it will in all probability never happen as they will lose the election but they still choose to taunt and terrorise us. My pip is invaluable to me, it absolutely changed my life and I just would not manage without it. Rishi Sinai how do you face yourself in the mirror? When did disability become a crime? You are a disgrace to humanity and I would still rather be me, in pain everyday and choosing between eating and heating than the disgrace of a human being that you are.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Sandra Bowes-Rennox · 2 days ago
      @Anne Well there not going to win votes by this cruelty.. They've taken millions for granted and treat disabled people like dirt as history proves and not just in this country.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Amanda · 2 days ago
      @Anne Nicely put! Far more articulate than my own contribution - I just saw red!