The new Hardest Hit report, co-authored by RNIB, was published on the 22 October 2012 and exposed how the Government's welfare cuts are hitting disabled people hardest:
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8 in 10 (85 per cent) claim losing their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) would drive them into isolation, and would leave them struggling to manage their condition (84 per cent).
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9 in 10 (95 per cent) fear that losing DLA would be detrimental to their health.
Shocking new evidence
The Hardest Hit, a coalition of over 90 disabled people's organisations and charities, produced the report 'The Tipping Point' which brings together a survey of over 4,500 disabled people, a poll of more than 350 independent welfare advisors, and more than 50 in-depth interviews with disabled people with varying conditions and impairments. The report reveals some shocking statistics:
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Nearly 9 in 10 (87 per cent) disabled people said their everyday living costs are significantly higher because of their condition
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More than three quarters (78 per cent) of disabled people said their health got worse as a result of the stress caused by their Work Capability Assessment (WCA) for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
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Two thirds (65 per cent) of disabled people felt that ESA assessors did not understand their condition Nearly 9 in 10 (87 per cent) welfare advisors said the constant re-assessments for benefits are damaging people's health
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9 in 10 (90 per cent) welfare advisors said that too many disabled people are slipping through the net and are left without adequate support by the welfare system.