Press play to watch/listen to “Living with Multiple Sclerosis in the Face of Welfare Cuts” or scroll to continue reading.
As someone living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), I know firsthand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that come with a progressive illness. The UK government’s latest welfare reforms, particularly the proposed cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and changes to incapacity benefits, are deeply worrying for disabled people like me.
These changes could strip away essential financial support that helps me—and many others—manage our conditions and maintain independence.
The Cuts at a Glance:
- 800,000 disabled people could lose an average of £4,500 per year
- 400,000 disabled people expected to lose PIP
- 50,000 children pushed into poverty
- Universal Credit health top-up slashed by 50% (frozen at £50 per week until 2030)
- Work Capability Assessment (WCA) abolished in 2028, raising fears over access to support
These changes don’t “help” disabled people—they force us into poverty, hardship, and isolation.

Living with MS means dealing with unpredictable symptoms, including mobility issues, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and chronic pain. Many of us rely on PIP to cover the extra costs of disability, such as:
Accessible Transport – Losing Independence
- Many disabled people can’t drive or use public transport easily. Cuts to PIP and mobility benefits mean:
- Losing Motability cars, which provide vital independence
- No financial help for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, hand controls, or hoists
- Increased reliance on expensive taxis or unreliable public transport
Without mobility support, many disabled people will be housebound.
Specialist Equipment – No Longer Affordable
- Disability-related costs are already high. Losing PIP means many won’t be able to afford:
- Wheelchairs, stairlifts, and mobility aids
- Essential medical equipment, like adjustable beds or hoists
- Prosthetics, orthotic supports, or specialist hearing aids
This isn’t about luxury—it’s about basic needs.
Home Adaptations – Making Daily Life Harder
- Many disabled people rely on home adaptations to live independently. With benefits being cut, we may lose:
- Wheelchair ramps and widened doorways
- Accessible bathrooms with grab rails and wet rooms
- Lowered kitchen counters for wheelchair users
Without these, many could be forced into care homes, costing the government even more in the long run.
Higher Energy Bills – A Hidden Cost of Disability
- Many disabled people have higher energy needs, but are now at risk of fuel poverty. Cuts mean:
- Needing heating year-round to ease symptoms of conditions like MS, arthritis, and fibromyalgia
- Higher electricity use for medical devices, electric wheelchairs, or oxygen machines
- Relying on dishwashers, tumble dryers, and energy-saving appliances due to mobility issues
Without financial support, many will have to choose between eating and heating.
Carers, Cleaners & Dog Walkers – Unaffordable Support
- Many disabled people rely on others for daily tasks. Losing benefits could mean:
- No money for carers or personal assistants, leading to neglect
- Struggling to afford cleaners, making it harder to maintain hygiene and a safe home
- Losing support from dog walkers, making assistance animals inaccessible for some
These cuts don’t just hurt disabled people—they burden families and local services.
2. Risk of Being Forced Into Work Despite Health Barriers
The government has suggested stricter work capability assessments to push more disabled people into employment. While many of us want to work, MS is an unpredictable condition—some days I feel well enough to work, other days I can barely get out of bed.
If the government removes or reduces incapacity benefits, it could leave people with fluctuating conditions like MS in an impossible situation:
- Forced to work when physically unable, risking health deterioration.
- Losing financial support because of “good days”, even though MS symptoms vary.
- Struggling to find flexible employers who understand disability needs.
3. Mental Health Struggles and Increased Isolation
Living with MS already comes with a heavy mental burden—coping with chronic pain, fatigue, and loss of independence is tough. The stress of benefit cuts will only add to the anxiety and depression that many disabled people already experience.
Losing financial independence can also mean:
- Less access to social activities due to travel and mobility costs.
- Increased isolation as disabled people are forced to stay home more.
- More pressure on family caregivers, leading to burnout.
The government should be supporting disabled people to live independently, not making life harder by cutting essential benefits.
4. The Appeal System: Another Uphill Battle
In previous benefit cuts, thousands of disabled people have had to fight through lengthy appeals to get their rightful support reinstated. With MS being a fluctuating and often invisible illness, proving disability to assessors is already difficult. These new reforms will likely lead to more unfair assessments, leaving disabled people without support while they fight long and stressful appeals.
What Can We Do?
If you’re affected by these welfare cuts, you’re not alone. Here’s what we can do:
- Speak up: Contact your MP, sign petitions, and support disability rights organisations.
- Seek advice: Organisations like Citizens Advice, Scope, Turn2Us, and MS Society offer guidance on benefits and appeals.
- Share your story: The more we highlight real-life impacts, the harder it becomes for the government to ignore us.
Final Thoughts
These latest welfare reforms are not just numbers on a spreadsheet—they represent real people like me, struggling to manage the daily challenges of MS while fearing for our financial future. Cutting benefits for disabled people doesn’t promote independence—it increases hardship, mental health struggles, and inequality.
We deserve a system that supports, not punishes, those of us who fight battles daily. Let’s stand together and push back against these unfair changes. #WelfareNotWarfare
Are you or a loved one affected by the welfare reforms? Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s raise awareness together.
Rach!xx
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