Inhumane Universal Credit

lindaH
lindaH Community member Posts: 2 Listener
edited August 2017 in Universal Credit (UC)
I want to highlight the cruel system of Universal Credit that is about to get rolled out in every major city before long. I used to be on working tax credit on the limited capability element. When I moved out of Bristol, I moved to a small town where they now have UC up and running.( Due to my life long mental health issues and physical disadvantages, I cannot work full time.) On this new system, there is no longer any financial help for people in my position. I can only work 16 hours a week, and on the old system, I received some financial support through WTC. The new UC system has nothing put in place apart from PIP, Personal Independent  Payment, which is extremely hard to get as you need to be severely disabled or mentally impaired to be eligible.
  Our government has pledged to help people with mental health problems and yet, on this UC benefit- there is simply nothing for people in my position. I now have to live just off the £440 a month I earn. This has caused me so mush anxiety and depression that my mental health is far worse! I am willing to work! I want to work! But now feel punished , not supported.

Comments

  • lindaH
    lindaH Community member Posts: 2 Listener
    And now have debt problems up to my ears!

  • Matilda
    Matilda Community member Posts: 2,592 Championing
    @LindaH

    Have you ever applied for PIP.
  • Nystagmite
    Nystagmite Community member Posts: 595 Empowering
    I remember a friend complaining about this. It means she either has to give up work, (which she doesn't want to do) get into debt or force herself to work full time. Doing the latter means it could make her mental health worse.
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,195 Championing
    Hi linda

    PIP has been made hard to get but it is possible if you understand the criteria.
    Have you taken the self test on the B&W site ?

    https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

    also try putting your details into one of the online calculators

    CR
  • Liam_Alumni
    Liam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,088 Empowering
    Hi @lindaH,

    Following on from the comments about Personal Independence Payment above, we have lots of information about PIP available on our website which may be of use to you.

    I hope this helps. If you have any questions, then please do get in touch!

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