Over four-fifths of benefit claimants with disabilities worried about benefit changes

Wed,15 June 2016
News Benefits Equality & Rights

New research by the national charity Turn2us has found that over four-fifths (84%) of people with disabilities who are claiming means-tested benefits are worried about future changes to the welfare system.

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of people with disabilities said they would feel more stressed about their financial situation if their benefits were to be cut or reduced, whilst nearly two-thirds (64%) fear they would have to cut back on food.

In addition, nearly half (47%) said they might struggle to pay their rent or mortgage, and almost three-fifths (59%) are concerned they may get in to debt.

The new findings are released as part of the Turn2us Benefits Awareness Campaign, which aims to help people in financial hardship to access all the support available to them.

The charity’s research demonstrates how crucial welfare support is for those on lower incomes with:

  • 88% of those with disabilities saying it has had a positive financial impact;
  • nearly half (47%) saying it has helped them to remain independent; and
  • almost two-fifths (38%) reporting that it has relieved some or all of the stress they felt prior to claiming.

For more information, please visit Turn2us.org.uk/BenefitsAware.

Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services – online, by phone and face to face through partners and volunteers

The Turn2us website includes a Benefits Calculator to find out what welfare benefits and tax credits you could be entitled to, a Grants Search to find out if you might be eligible for support from over 3,000 charitable funds, and a range of information and resources to help people in financial hardship.

Turn2us can also provide direct financial assistance through a range of specific funds that are managed directly by the charity, including the Elizabeth Finn Fund which supports people from over 120 different professions.

For more information, please visit www.turn2us.org.uk