‘If my PIP is taken away, I’ll become housebound and a recluse’

A man who suffers from physical and mental health issues has spoken of the fear that if his personal independence payment (PIP) is slashed or taken away, he will end up becoming a housebound recluse.

Dean Palmer, 57, who lives alone in Bradford, West Yorkshire, has nerve damage in his legs and suffers from epilepsy. He struggles to walk without being “in agony” and has been on PIP since 2014.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed plans to restrict eligibility for PIP in the Spring Statement on Wednesday saying it “can’t be right” that some people were improperly using the benefit.

The UK Government said the proposed changes to the welfare system would save £5bn a year by 2029/2030 and get more people into work.

Changes to eligibility for PIP, are expected to account for the largest proportion of savings from the welfare reforms.

More than 3.6m people who have a long-term physical or mental health condition receive the benefit which is aimed at helping with extra costs caused by long-term disability and ill health.

Mr Palmer told The i Paper that losing PIP and his mobility car would have a significant impact on him and he would become housebound and his income would not cover his essentials.

He says it would also increase his difficulties with depression and drive him into debt.

Mr Palmer said: “The nerve damage to my legs was caused by surgery I had. I have been in agony ever since and live on morphine.

“If I lost PIP and my mobility car, I would be housebound. I have got a mobility scooter, but due to the nerve damage in my legs, it is too painful.

“I walk on crutches for short distances but they are very uncomfortable. I would be totally housebound without my mobility car and would have to rely on friends to do my shopping.

“I’d be constantly stuck in the house. Where I live, everyone keeps themselves to themselves and I hardly know anyone on the street so it would be hard for me to say to them: ‘I’m disabled; if you’re going to the shops, would you mind getting something for me?’”

Mr Palmer says he suffers with depression and has been “worried sick” for months and endured sleepless nights concerned about what would happen to him if he lost his PIP.

“It is so difficult trying to manage and everything gets on top of you,” he said. “I have already attempted suicide twice and don’t know how I’d cope if my income was cut as I am only just about surviving on it.

“When I’m in a bad state with my pain, I have friends who will pick me up and take me to activities just to get me out of the house. They keep a close eye on me because of my suicide attempts.

“But without my PIP, I would be completely reliant on others and would struggle financially. I only buy what I need and the money I get now only just covers it.”

Mr Palmer says he would actually welcome a clampdown on people who are falsely claiming benefits when they don’t have a serious medical condition and would actually be able to work.

“A lot of people fiddle the system and from what I’ve heard, it’s mostly younger ones who just can’t be bothered to get out of bed.

Why Labour says the cuts are necessary

When elected, the Labour Government said it would reduce the welfare bill by more than £5bn by 2030 – matching Tory savings from the previous administration – but would bring forward new reforms to make the savings.

The Government has said the measures will be fair and sustainable, whilst protecting vulnerable disabled people who will never be able to work and are designed to tackle the ballooning welfare bill.

Spending on PIP – to help disabled people with day to day support – is projected to almost double to £34bn by 2029-30.

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, spending on working-age health-related benefits overall – which includes out of work incapacity benefits – rose from £36bn in 2019-20 to £48bn in 2023-24 – and is projected to rise to even further, to more than £60bn, by 2029.

Meanwhile ministers are under pressure to tackle an increase in the number of economically inactive people, with a recent spike in people not currently working or in education due to a health condition.

One in 10 people of working age are claiming some kind of sickness or disability welfare, according to the Government, and almost three million people are out of work due to a health condition.

“I agree that people like this should be monitored more closely. But to take PIP or other benefits off people who are genuine like me is disgusting.

“I have actually reported a couple of people who I know are not genuine, but nothing has been done.

“If changes to the benefit system mean that I will get less money, I would become a recluse and see nobody and go nowhere. It would totally ruin my life.”

PIP has two elements: a daily living component and a mobility component. Eligibility for the daily living component will be tightened under new Government plans.

Previously, assessments involved asking questions about one’s ability to do daily tasks with each scored on a scale from zero to 12 in terms of difficulty.

From November 2026, those being assessed will need to score at least four to qualify for support rather than one or two.

Stewart McCulloch, chief executive officer at Christians Against Poverty (CAP), a charity which has supported Mr Palmer, said: “The Chancellor claimed in the Spring Statement that the Government was supporting the most vulnerable, but we’re concerned some of their actions to cut the welfare bill will push more people with vulnerabilities into deeper poverty and debt.

“We acknowledge the financial pressures the Government is under but at CAP we are meeting face-to-face with families on low incomes who are facing enormous personal financial pressure

“Our local church debt coaches and amazing volunteers are visiting people who are living in cold homes, skipping meals and are often isolated from their community as a result of living in poverty and debt.

“Many of these people are now feeling anxious and fearful that the income they rely on may be reduced in future as a result of welfare cuts.

“We welcome efforts to help people back into work and the planned increase to the basic rate of universal credit, but we are deeply concerned about the Government’s decision to freeze the universal credit health element for existing claimants and reduce it to £50 per week and then freeze it for new claimants until 2030.

“Add in making personal independence payment eligibility stricter and over time this will strip away thousands of pounds from those already struggling with health conditions or disabilities.

“This feels like leaving behind the most vulnerable, not supporting them.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “We have been clear that protecting people in need is a principle we will never compromise on.

“The social security system will always be there for those with severe health conditions, and we will introduce a new premium for those who will never be able to work.

“Our reforms will unlock work for sick and disabled people who can and want to be in employment – backed by a £1 billion support offer to guarantee tailored help into work – ensuring they are supported to live with dignity and independence, whilst making sure that everyone who can realise the benefits of work is expected and supported to do so.”

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK.

Get support to help quit online gambling at gamban.com