A disabled student has told CJS News they are “terrified” following the news the UK Government is going to narrow the criteria for disability benefits.
Ezra Starbuck is 19 years old and is one of the 3.5 million people across England and Wales who receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
PIP is a benefit available for people with long-term health conditions or disabilities, used to help with extra living costs.
For Ezra, these costs include mobility aids, medication, and transport.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the government needs to save money at a time when the economy is struggling and spending on benefits is ballooning. It’s part of a package of reforms they hope will save £5 billion by the end of 2030.
The Bevan Foundation, a Welsh think tank focused on poverty, said the changes to PIP will “significantly affect” people in Wales more than other parts of the UK. 14% of working age adults in Wales claim PIP which is higher than the UK average.
Steffan Evans from the organisation told CJS News changes to PIP may “push people into real hardship”, leaving them reliant on food banks or unable to heat their homes.
Disability charity Scope estimate having a disability increases a person’s living costs by up to £1000 a month.
To get PIP, people have to apply and be assessed.
Ezra said, “It’s a very long process, and it’s very difficult to make sure you’re trying to say the right things.”
The evaluation involves questions that “go into a lot of detail about personal things like incontinence and how you shower”, they said.
Ezra described it as a “scary process” which has to be repeated every few years.
Although Ezra does get PIP for his physical disabilities, he was denied it for his mental health conditions. He said “it feels quite invalidating when you don’t get the [support] you feel you need.”
The criteria for PIP payments will be tightened from November 2026.
A million people are likely to be affected by the changes.
The prime minister Keir Starmer posted on social media to say, “”This government will always protect the most severely disabled people to live with dignity,”