Peter's reality
I started receiving social security in 2021, just after I finished university. I applied for both Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) due to a long-term health condition. Applying for universal credit was quite easy but the PIP application process was atrocious and ultimately took over a year. My first claim was refused and then I had to continue to fight to finally get my payments.
As well as the emotion toll of fighting to receive the benefits I had a right to, I also had to deal with a lack of understanding about my condition. One of the interviewers mislabeled and misunderstood the medical equipment I use and even went as far as to lecture me about my own illness. I had to get my doctor to write a letter just to confirm what I'd said.
I was asked irrelevant questions and would often be asked the same question three times to see if I'd change my answer. The process feels like you are on trial for murder, they act like they are trying to catch you out and that you are begging.
The PIP application needs to be renewed every couple of years or so – despite my disability being due to a long-term health condition that won’t improve over time. So it’s like I am starting over again each time. With my disability, if my benefits were cut, it would cripple me.
Watching my friends from uni live their lives makes me feel like I am missing out on a lot. I would like to be able to do more things, to get out and about a bit more – perhaps take a day trip to a local area. Even to travel locally is hard as the buses are too expensive and I can’t afford a car. I don’t want to be on benefits, I'd love to be able to work but I simply can’t.