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Many disabled people on Employment and Support Allowance only get £74 a week to live off - even though their costs have risen massively during the pandemic. THREAD https://dpac.uk.net/2021/03/20more4all-campaign-ways-you-can-support/ @Dis_PPL_Protest #20More4All
We @Dis_PPL_Protest and @Z2K_trust say all legacy benefits like Employment and Support Allowance need to be increased by £20 a week.
2.5 million people are on these still. Please sign this petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/572128
2.5 million people are on these still. Please sign this petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/572128
A survey of disabled people on legacy benefits conducted by the Disability Benefits Consortium found that two thirds have had to go without essentials like food, heating or medication as a result of increased costs since the pandemic started. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/two-thirds-disabled-benefit-claimants-23430850
Nearly half (44%) said they had fallen behind on financial commitments like rent, mortgage payments, or household bills. #20More4All
Additional financial support would make an enormous difference to disabled people’s lives. Our members gave us examples of what it would mean to them if the £20 uplift was applied to legacy benefits...
“£100 taxi fares for transport to hospital for appointments and surgery because patient transport which I normally use is not running for cancer/dialysis. No money left for food.” @Dis_PPL_Protest https://dpac.uk.net/2021/02/email-your-mp-to-call-for-20-uplift-to-stay-be-applied-to-legacy-benefits/
“Being clinically extremely vulnerable- I’m supposed to shield at home- this has led to increased shopping costs as I have to fill to a minimum basket requirement or face a penalty, and have to pay delivery costs on top.” @Dis_PPL_Protest
Heart-breaking testimony from @Dis_PPL_Protest members about what the £20 a week legacy benefit uplift would mean:
a) “On chemo...need to eat properly”.
b) “Could put the heating on earlier and not suffer the arthritis pain I am because I only put the heating on after 6pm”
a) “On chemo...need to eat properly”.
b) “Could put the heating on earlier and not suffer the arthritis pain I am because I only put the heating on after 6pm”
c) “We don’t have a washing machine – I’d like to get one but can’t afford one at the moment. £20 extra a week may help me to save quicker to buy one – given that I had a colostomy over Xmas this is now more of a necessity!” - @Dis_PPL_Protest member
d) "It would help me look after my child and meet the additional costs brought by the pandemic, such as extra heating, food and schooling costs, such as ink and paper.” - @Dis_PPL_Protest member #20More4All
The Department for Work and Pensions has said there is no need to apply the uplift to legacy claimants because benefits will be increased by 37p per week in April 2021.
(37p is not a typo)
(37p is not a typo)
The 37p increase is designed to reflect higher costs of living due to inflation, not the pandemic. It represents a mere 0.5% increase - not enough to buy a single protective mask.
The People Sunak Forgot - Again. @Dis_PPL_Protest https://dpac.uk.net/2021/03/a-few-thoughts-on-the-budget/
The People Sunak Forgot - Again. @Dis_PPL_Protest https://dpac.uk.net/2021/03/a-few-thoughts-on-the-budget/
