Reform Disability Benefits System for Unseen Health Conditions
The Issue
For many years, I have experienced first-hand the obstacles and complexities of navigating Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit Limited Capability for Work (UC LCW). Not only have I lived with unseen health conditions myself, but my professional experiences have further highlighted the serious gaps in the current disability benefits system.
This is not only my story but the story of countless others who are placed at a disproportionate disadvantage due to the current system. Unseen health conditions, illnesses, and disabilities are not adequately assessed alongside physically visible health conditions, which subsequently highlights the stigma that is still very much present around Mental Health Illness. Individuals are being set up to fail whilst being at the heart of campaigners opinions on 'Get Britain Working'.
As per a report by the charity group Mind, up to 300,000 people with mental health illnesses lose their jobs each year.
This figure points towards an urgent crisis in our disability benefits system, a system that fails to recognize that unseen disabilities can be just as debilitating as those that are visible. The harsh and tragic reality is that too many individuals, facing unjust challenges posed by the current assessment system, have been driven to suicide.
In the interests of compassion and fairness, we urgently advocate for the reform of the disability benefits system. This means ensuring that unseen health conditions and disabilities are assessed separately and equally from physically visible health conditions. Give dignity and respect to those with unseen illnesses, conditions, and disabilities. It's time for a more inclusive, empathetic, and Trauma Informed approach.
Where there are both seen and unseen Health Conditions, Illnesses or Disabilities present, there needs to be a clear and fair way of assessing an individuals abilities, ensuring the person is not put at any risk of psychological distress.
Please sign this petition and join us in advocating for this critical reform.
6
The Issue
For many years, I have experienced first-hand the obstacles and complexities of navigating Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit Limited Capability for Work (UC LCW). Not only have I lived with unseen health conditions myself, but my professional experiences have further highlighted the serious gaps in the current disability benefits system.
This is not only my story but the story of countless others who are placed at a disproportionate disadvantage due to the current system. Unseen health conditions, illnesses, and disabilities are not adequately assessed alongside physically visible health conditions, which subsequently highlights the stigma that is still very much present around Mental Health Illness. Individuals are being set up to fail whilst being at the heart of campaigners opinions on 'Get Britain Working'.
As per a report by the charity group Mind, up to 300,000 people with mental health illnesses lose their jobs each year.
This figure points towards an urgent crisis in our disability benefits system, a system that fails to recognize that unseen disabilities can be just as debilitating as those that are visible. The harsh and tragic reality is that too many individuals, facing unjust challenges posed by the current assessment system, have been driven to suicide.
In the interests of compassion and fairness, we urgently advocate for the reform of the disability benefits system. This means ensuring that unseen health conditions and disabilities are assessed separately and equally from physically visible health conditions. Give dignity and respect to those with unseen illnesses, conditions, and disabilities. It's time for a more inclusive, empathetic, and Trauma Informed approach.
Where there are both seen and unseen Health Conditions, Illnesses or Disabilities present, there needs to be a clear and fair way of assessing an individuals abilities, ensuring the person is not put at any risk of psychological distress.
Please sign this petition and join us in advocating for this critical reform.
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 2 January 2025