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all Disabled Cost of Living Essays

The Disabled Cost of Living: The DWP is Crushing my Dreams of Living With my Partner

Millions of people are currently struggling to heat their homes, pay their bills and afford food in the toughest Cost of Living Crisis the UK has seen in 30 years. In our new series, The Disabled Cost of Living, we will hear how disabled people are disproportionately affected, due to their lives already costing more and being valued as less.


The cost of living crisis has impacted most of our lives at this point, whether it be rising energy prices, fuel costs, rent or food, our monthly bills just keep rising and rising.

This has a very immediate effect in that for many of us our money isn’t stretching as far, and some are ending up in debt, but for me there is also a more long-term effect. 

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The Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ Plan Forgets Disabled People

Recently the UK government unveiled another one of their shiny new projects designed to distract from the current mess that is, well, our government. With people resigning left, right and centre, you’d be forgiven for having no idea what I’m talking about. But, their latest endeavor is the new ‘levelling up’ plan announced by Michael Gove, and it’s clear to see that those at the top truly believed they were doing something special here. 

However, a quick skim through the plans demonstrates just how unaware they are about what this country really needs. As a disabled person I feel constantly forgotten, and these plans haven’t alleviated any of those concerns. 

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Why Being a Disabled Freelancer on Universal Credit is a Double-Edged Sword

I’ve been on a mixture of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit since I was 17 years old, due to my disability limiting my ability to work. Both are a benefit that can support people who are unable to work, or unable to work full-time hours.

I was never able to get a Saturday job like my friends due to my disabilities, nor attend university. So at a young age I quickly found myself with very few options – and a family unable to support me financially. 

At that age, I had no idea that accessible work options even existed, so I truly believed that I would never find a job that I could do.

Being able to sit here today and say I have found accessible employment, that I can do whilst receiving Universal Credit, a vital safety net, is amazing. But, it’s also a double-edged sword and not the life-changing moment I’d hoped it would be. 

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I Don’t Want to be Grateful and Patient About Disability Rights

As we start a new year there is always buzz of energy around new possibilities, goals to be met and changes to make, but as a disabled person I am acutely aware that I’m going into 2021 fighting the same issues I have been all my life.

And I am tired.