Benefit Scroungers: Life with chronic illness or disability in modern Britain

Benefit Britain?

The government is implementing major changes to the benefits system. Polls suggest there is public support for cuts and increased rigour in the system.

But these views may be based on misinformation. 

Disabled author Stephanie Benstead wrote her book Why We’re Not Benefit Scroungers to address some of these issues.

The book starts with a discussion of the welfare system in relation to the chronically ill and disabled. Misinformation, rhetoric and prejudice are addressed and countered by reference to facts, figures and reports from organisations including the DWP, Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Citizen’s Advice Bureau.



Life in the Slow Lane

The second, and larger, part of the book brings together ten stories from people with a range of illnesses and disabilities. Their stories show the many difficulties that chronically ill and disabled people still face. These include poor education as a direct result of disability or illness, illnesses made worse by the stress induced by the benefits system, cost-cutting exercises causing deterioration in health and the life-changing effects of unexpected illness.

Why We’re Not Benefit Scroungers provides an insight into the lives of the chronically ill and disabled, and the realities of what they face in the welfare system. Misinformation from the government has allowed many members of the public to adopt an attitude of resentment and animosity to these people. 

But the data show a different story – one of sick people terrified of receiving brown envelopes; of people suffering deterioration in health after being told they are or soon will be fit for work; a story of people living in poverty and fear.