Benefit cuts threaten independent living for thousands of disabled people | Society | The Guardian

Benefit cuts threaten independent living for thousands of disabled people | Society | The Guardian



I am disabled and have received Disability Living Allowance for many years. I was expecting an increase of about £5 per month as most benefits rose by about 1%. I received my letter,a couple of weeks ago,telling me that I was now on PIP.

My benefit for the year 2016 to 2017 would be the same as for the year 2015 to 2016. Therefore, no increase,even though,in general, prices have risen over the same period.  A five less in a month means little to me but I feel for people who are having their life style ad income drastically changed.

Many people give themselves problems which with a little forward planning could be overcome. I bought two chest freezers,from home shopping catologues, at about £200 each I paid them up, on a weekly basis,one after the other. I shop at Tesco on line and take advantage of all half price or 3 for 2 bargains.which are of no use to a single person, unless they have freezers . I like Coca Cola ad have been buying at £1.00 or £1.25 per bottle when the corner shop has been charging £1.75 or £1.95. I buy 10 at a time,thus saving £7 to £9

Fortunately, I have Credit Cards. I realise many folks can't get them. I use a Tesco Bank card to buy shopping from Tesco and I buy home shopping items using that companies card too. Therefore, I can spread the payments over 5 weeks or longer. Even a small limit card can help. I also have a £200 limit card. Sometimes, I withdraw cash with it and pay the payments for the other two cards.This gives me five/six weeks income,plenty food and no outgoings at all!!!

A bit of paper,a pen and a calendar is all you need to plot out when to spend ad when not to spend. If you have cards,spend in the week that the statement arrives giving you five weeks grace. A bit of planing will help you out.