Busting three common myths about disability benefits

In recent months, we’ve seen a lot of conversation about disability benefits in the media.

In the main, these conversations have focussed on the negative aspects. For example, it’s been suggested that the benefits bill is too high, or that it’s currently too easy to claim disability benefits and “play the system”.

Unfortunately, harmful media narratives like these lead to widespread myths that simply aren’t true, or at best, are wildly exaggerated.

In the run-up to the 2024 General Election, it’s vital that we have a nuanced conversation about welfare and the role it plays in the lives of disabled people.

So let’s explore some of the most common misconceptions about disability benefits, and bust some myths.

Myth 1: “A life on welfare is an easy life”

We’ve all heard the claim that being on benefits is a “lifestyle choice”.

But for many disabled people, benefits are simply a vital necessity – and they don’t even cover the cost of the essentials disabled people need.

Even before the cost of living crisis, disabled people were struggling to make ends meet. They were three times more likely to be behind with bills and unable to afford food than someone who was not disabled.

The ongoing crisis has only exacerbated this, with seven in ten (70%) of people with complex disabilities unsure how they would cope last winter.

“You might think that benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are supposed to cover living costs. That’s the idea, but we know that life costs more if you’re disabled, and benefits like PIP don’t stretch far enough.”

You might think that benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are supposed to cover living costs. That’s the idea, but we know that life costs more if you’re disabled, and benefits like PIP don’t stretch far enough.

Take me for example. I’m deafblind and autistic. I need to take taxis to travel about. I also use my PIP to pay for therapies that have helped with my mental health, which also means I’ve been able to stay in work.

Disability benefits need to go further. That’s why we’re calling on the next UK government to review benefits levels to make sure disabled people can afford the essentials.

Myth 2: “Claiming benefits is a piece of cake”

The idea that people claiming benefits do so because it’s the “easy” option simply isn’t true.

When I claimed PIP, it was an incredibly stressful and inaccessible process. I had to complete a hugely long and detailed form going into all aspects of my daily life and how my disabilities impact me.

I needed support from my wife to complete the paper form, which was inaccessible to me. I had to provide evidence to back everything up.

This made it a long, laborious process, as well as emotionally draining. In many cases, claimants also have to undergo an assessment.

And after all that, many claimants still don’t get the decision they deserve. The DWP’s own statistics show that 82% of PIP decisions are overturned at tribunal in favour of the claimant.

All in all, the process of claiming benefits is far from the cakewalk many would have you believe.

Sense’s plan for change calls for the benefits application process to be made more accessible, so that disabled people can manage their claims independently and get the decisions they deserve.

Myth 3: “Disabled people don’t want to work”

A lot of the rhetoric surrounding disability benefits recently has focussed on work as a solution for everyone. You’ll often hear suggestions that people on benefits don’t want to work.

“Sense’s polling found that over half of jobseekers with complex disabilities didn’t feel they had the support or equipment to find work.”

Many people who receive benefits do also work. Nearly 40% of Universal Credit claimants are working, while benefits such as PIP and DLA are not linked to whether a person can work or not – they are based on how a person’s condition affects them.

82% of people with complex disabilities are out of work. For many of them, employment simply isn’t a realistic or appropriate goal.

But for others, there is a strong desire to work, but they face barriers to finding or staying in employment. They need specialist support in place.  

We know this simply isn’t the case currently. Sense’s polling found that over half of jobseekers with complex disabilities didn’t feel they had the support or equipment to find work.

Even when people with complex disabilities do find employment, they can face barriers to staying in work. We need to see more support for disabled jobseekers and employees. That’s why we’re calling on the next UK government to tackle barriers to employment.