Radar is working to break the link between disability and poverty
Disabled people are twice as likely to live in poverty as other citizens, with roughly a third of disabled people living in poverty at some point in their lives. This is unacceptable and avoidable.
The Government is reviewing the Disability Living Allowance which will be replaced by the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people of working age.
The Government wanted to scrap the DLA mobility for people living in state-funded care homes or attending residential schools. Following our lobbying they have now said that they will review it.
- Disabled people who are in work are at a substantially higher risk of in-work poverty, on average earning less than their non-disabled peers and being more likely to work in low skill, low paid jobs. (Labour Force Survey as presented in the Disability Rights Commission Disability Briefing May 2007)
- 55% of families with disabled children are living in or at the margins of poverty (Key Facts about Disability, Papworth 2010)
- Around a third of all disabled adults aged 25 to retirement are living in low-income households. This is twice the rate of that for non-disabled adults. (Poverty.org.uk)
Radar’s members voice direct experience and, with our corporate, voluntary and public sector partners, are interested in developing new approaches to simpler, more cost effective, one stop assessments and services
We work closely with Disability Alliance and are members of the Disability Benefits Consortium
For our policy positions and consultation responses click here for Frank Field Review; Parliamentary Reception: financial independence of disabled people
Worried about future changes to Disability Living Allowance? Join our campaigns.
Radar supports financial independence practically: see our Doing Money Differently Guide and factsheets on everything from benefits to mortgages
Mind won our People of the Year award for financial independence – for making debt advice and support available to people with mental distress, including over 56,000 people accessing money advice via Mind’s website
Radar influences Government by talking directly with Ministers and officials and lobbying in Parliament. We want welfare reform that reduces red tape but does not cut the money in disabled people’s pockets.
Get involved - join Radar today or get involved in our campaigning.
