There is no doubt that the disability benefits system is broken – but not in the ways the government suggests (Editorial, 18 March). The current system is hostile, inefficient and difficult to navigate – often worsening the physical and mental health of claimants, through energy-depleting assessment and appeal processes, gaslighting and having to fight to be seen.

The government suggests that the way to get disabled people into work is to invest more in job coaches – as though the disabled community simply lack confidence to hunt for jobs. In reality, it is employers who lack confidence to take us on. To find one that can offer minimal hours (for someone with long Covid) or provide multiple sick days a month (for regular hospital visits) is almost impossible.

If the government is serious about improving access to work for the disabled community, this is where investment needs to happen. We need something like the apprenticeship scheme, whereby employers would receive financial support to employ people with limited capacity for work – providing us with a fair living wage on reduced hours. This could unlock the talents of the educated and brilliant disabled community.
Name and address supplied

These proposed changes to personal independence payment (Pip) must be opposed. I feel overwhelming anxiety whenever I get a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions. Living with epilepsy, an unpredictable, life-limiting condition, impacts every aspect of my life. My DWP daily living score reflects this; I receive 13 points and qualify for the enhanced rate of Pip. Under the proposed “four points in one category” system, I would lose my Pip entirely.

About 90% of the time, I function well, but for the other 10%, I don’t know who or where I am, and am profoundly vulnerable. This reform ignores disabilities like mine where, to stay safe, I need help across the board, all the time. I support welfare reform, but not at the expense of disabled people. These proposals will have devastating effects on their lives.
Jo Mackenzie
Ventnor, Isle of Wight

Why is the government waging a vindictive vendetta against disabled people? I claim universal credit and Pip. Without Pip I would become homeless. Is this appropriate for a 62-year-old who has paid taxes for over 40 years and has a body now disfigured by working on building sites? I had to wait over 18 months to receive Pip and go through hell with the DWP, which refused countless times to accept I had a long-term disability. I am now expected to find appropriate employment when I’m unable to, and will end up having to accept a low-paid, unskilled job. If I don’t, all my benefits will be stopped.

Rachel Reeves, the Treasury and Liz Kendall should ask themselves why this Labour government can find £200bn for nuclear weapons, plus over £14bn extra on defence spending, but is more worried about disabled people having half a decent life with Pip payments.
Mark Sayers
Keighley, West Yorkshire

The government’s proposal to restrict the health element of universal credit for those aged under 22 will have a devastating impact on young care leavers. These are more likely than other young people to have health conditions or disabilities due to early trauma and a care system that fails to provide the support they need. Many have no family to turn to for financial or emotional assistance.

This cut will reduce their already limited incomes by nearly £5,000 a year. Without this lifeline, more young care leavers will struggle to afford essentials like food, rent and transport, increasing their risk of homelessness, mental health crises and long-term unemployment. Instead of helping them build a future, this policy will push them further to the margins of society.

We urge ministers to reconsider before it causes lasting damage to some of the most disadvantaged young people in our communities.
Katharine Sacks-Jones
Chief executive, Become charity

I’m writing this as a disabled guy in his late 30s. I have now been job-hunting for 13 months since I moved closer to family, previously having worked in a part-time office job. The last few years have been challenging due to my conditions deteriorating. This means I now use a wheelchair, when I used to walk.

Pip is not a means to not work. Being disabled is exhausting and it is about constantly juggling our finite energy resources with wanting to be part of society. Often this means only being able to work part-time, which doesn’t provide enough income on its own.

Pip is a benefit to support the extra costs of being disabled, so we may have some quality of life. My wheelchair-accessible vehicle is expensive to run as it is a van with specialised heavy adaptations. Accessible sports are often miles away and not easily accessible by public transport. I need help cutting my nails – this costs at least £30 per session. I need a care worker to support me daily – this costs a minimum of £80 a week.

This is just a small snapshot of the extra costs of being disabled. Freezing and cutting Pip means we will be going back in time and ignoring all the hard work of disability rights legislation over the years. This year is the 30th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act – yet who has cause to celebrate?
David Slater
Saffron Walden, Cambridgeshire

This is going to be remembered in the same way as the poll tax for Margaret Thatcher and tuition fees for Nick Clegg. Those caused riots. This won’t, but demonising disabled people will not be forgiven.
James Unvala
Ramsgate, Kent