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The DWP: "It is your responsibility to be a financial burden on your partner!"

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I made the mistake of posting on a money advice forum, asking what the best thing to do was when moving in with my husband, in terms of keeping as much of my disability benefit as possible. Full time work for him wasn't really an option since he cares for me which is like a full time job in itself. I was called a parasite and told I was trying to "screw the system for what I could get" and that he should be the one providing for me. I ended up getting so much abuse I asked a mod to delete my post. In the end we worked out that we were much better off financially if he worked less than 24 hours a week and I only lost part of my ESA and none of my PIP. People who have never had to deal with disability have no idea, lucky for them. It makes me sick that people can say the things they do though.

I was homeless for 18 months and was literally told that the only way I would qualify for any assistance other than food stamps was to get pregnant.

When she said " I knew I was safe with her" my heart exploded 😭😭😭

You should add a shirt with "Polite British Rage" on it to your merch

"I can buy socks whenever I want" why did this make me tear up This should not be such a luxury ... ilysm, please get more ads we can watch so we can help. Adore you 🖤🖤🖤

The perpetuation of poverty amongst the disabled population is is abhorrent, thank you so much for enlightening people to this issue!

"Now I can buy my own socks" Dobby is freee

On a similar note, non- disabled partner are often seen by the government as a replacement for a carer, meaning that your romantic partner is now going to be expected to feed, dress, clean up after etc you. Not only is this an unfair burden on the able bodied person but now the professional quality care of a carer is replaced with someone who has probably never changed a catch bag, taken blood, washed a full grown immobile adult etc

Why am I not getting ads? Let me watch more ads so you can shower in the moneyyyyyy

Well, then I am super glad that I found your channel. I'm a white, fully able-bodied, heterosexual, married, mom of 2. I'm as priveledged as it gets (well, I could be a man I suppose), but care deeply about social inequities. I found your channel by accident (erm...algorithm) and am hooked. Love your show. Love what you do and am super glad that it contributes to your financial independence.

"and I need to smile-scream my way through it" that is the biggest mood

My sister is very disabled. She is non verbal and immobile. The American benefits system is GARBAGE. My mom has to fight so hard to get any help what so ever.

I'm in the us and know many disabled people who were completely cut off their disability when they got married. I guess if your spouse is a millionaire I could understand that but not when they make 30,000$ year. It's so wrong.

I just quickly checked with an inflation calculator, $3000 in 1989 is equivalent to $6226 in 2019...jesus

*Me every time Jessica mentions Claudia* : where do I get myself a Claudia??

“Spoiler alert: I’m still alive.” Love it!🥰

Thanks for mentioning abuse + dependency issues in relationships. Just wanted to say I was reliant on a partner in a DV relationship for food, housing, transportation, access to professionals, etc, and literally had to choose between another abuse situation (family of origin, bad enough that I chose DV instead) or homelessness when I left. This is not unusual at all--I know so many disabled people who are waiting for benefits, were denied benefits, or simply cannot live on a disability income, and their only source of housing (or home care, or food, or...) is an abuser. Having had the experiences I've had, I would greatly fear getting married to /anyone/ (even if they seemed wonderful--thanks PTSD), because chopping my income for a partner feels far too dangerous. It definitely feels as though the government does not care what happens to disabled people as long as we're handed off to someone, anyone else, and someone else's responsibility.

I have a disabled friend who would love to marry her long-time girlfriend, who is also disabled. But as you stated, they will both lose a good chunk of their disability benefits if they do so. Let’s face it. Whether it is here, in America, or there in the UK or just about anywhere in the world (I am guessing), the system is most definitely rigged against those of us who are disabled. One reason I stopped dating is because I am 47 and don’t want to feel like I am being a burden on a potential love interest. How would I explain to the man I start dating that in 5 or 10 years, he may be needing to take full-time care of me, or waste hard earned money on my medical needs, and still expect him to stick around? I worry about that every day. It is stupid really. But if benefits for the disabled where better, perhaps I wouldn’t feel that way. That is why it always makes me happy when I see another disabled person who finds love and doesn’t let their disabilities impede them. And why it saddens me that my friend and her girlfriend feel they can’t marry because they simply can’t afford to lose those precious few benefits they have.

okay but that hair lipstick pearl necklace and black dress.. I'm not going to be over this Look anytime soon wow

As a gay disabled person who grew up able enough to sort of limp my way through life then got hit by a truck, this video kinda punched me in the face because I ended up having to make the decision to not get married, because my partner cannot make enough to support both of us and it doesn't feel fair to make them. The system is designed to kill us off quietly while everyone looks away.

There was a boy that worked in a store with me as a bagger. He was legally blind but pretty much completely blind. He also had bad diabetes. Government wouldn't give him anything as they claim he is perfectly well enough to support himself. He hurt his hands every day bc the moving belt would make the groceries hit his hands(sometimes metal cans and watermelons) since he couldn't see them coming. He would have to touch them to determine if the items go together in a bag. He never complained but I think it's so unfair.

I was forced to live separately from my longtime boyfriend for three years when my housing certificate came in. He was not working at the time but had not applied for disability because of the stigma of mental illness. We married on the 20th anniversary of our first date and he moved in. Unfortunately he lost his battle with bipolar disorder and passed away four years later. I now live alone and realize that the chances of finding a partner willing to “take me on” as a physical and financial burden are not good. Still have hope but I’m not putting money on that bet.

If Jess actually ends up presenting history programmes I will scream

Yes, the huge cost of being disabled..... People think I 'swan' around in taxis because I must be rolling in it. I cannot drive, can no longer use buses as I can't get on or off them so I budget minutely so I can afford taxis for the essential needs or joys in my life. It can be lonely in the strange decisions I need to negotiate. Like how long can I stay in a friend's house because their loo is upstairs and I can't get there.

I was diagnosed with scoliosis kyphosis when I was about ten, it took until I was twelve for my mother to convince the u.s. government I was disabled. I am now in my forties with other disabilities and there isn't a day that goes by where I'm not asking, "Why? Just, why?" When it comes to our government programs. For example, the cost of living increase for this year, 2021, was in my case, $11. My anglophile heart is honestly disappointed to learn Britain's isn't much better.

I live in the USA. I remember back when my boys where just tiny and I was a stay at home mom because working would have pointless with the cost of dating care. My husband had a really good job, but still we were forced to sometimes pick between eating or paying bills. We applied for food stamps and we made $10 too much to qualify. It was heart breaking.

Tbh, especially as a gay disabled person myself, you guys are relationship GOALS

Oh my god... This is so terrible! Why are no MPs talking about this? Oh yeah... They're too busy arguing about pointless squabbles, rather than people's livelihoods

We can't buy a house cos the day I married my husband his finance ability was cut in half because I'm too disabled to work but "not sick enough" for the Australian disability pension. So I have no form of income and am classed as a dependent (literally like my husbands child) and therefore we can't buy a house 🎉

OMG, I could write a book about the abuses of pretty-much everything you talked about! I lost my house (due to a shady ex best-friend, another time for this story) and was basically forced to go live with my present boyfriend at the time. They, the U.S. government cut my benefits in half, even though i still had to pay my own way. I was living on $450.00 U.S. dollars a month---since my meds at that time were over $4k a month, yea, do the math. Anyway, after 13 years of being clean and sober, he wasn't and became extremely abusive to the point where he was arrested for planning to murder me and put me in the woods for the coyotes to get rid of the evidence. I was told I had 14 days before they let him out if he got bail. Sooooo, I had borrowed twenty-thousand dollars and went searching for a home. 20k buys you a dirt floor, even in the boondoggle of Maine. I did find a home but the roof leaked, no insulation under the house (yes, much fun when it is minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, one wall heater, and NO indoor plumbing. Such fun when you can barely get out of bed in the morning. I was "promised" that if I MOVED there, our lovely government had programs to help me get water and repair the home. Three years later, much sicker due to having to cut and split 7 to 8 cords of wood for heat, travelling 30 miles round-trip into the woods to get gallons of water weekly----getting jumped by a bobcat, ran-off by a momma bear i didnt see until almost too late, and being charged by a 1500 pound bull moose later----i STILL have no help whatsoever. He wound up spending less than 6 months in jail on a three year sentence and when he got out, the Judge, accidentally read off my new address. Once he realized what he had done, he told my ex "forget you heard that!" Yea, that worked. He has hunted me down and I am now trying to save enough money to move to Florida where a true friend is willing to help me as much as they can once I get down there. Oh! The best part is, because not only was he binge drinking, he stole my pain meds and now the doctor has cut all my pain meds in half! Nothing like punishing the victim! Smh. Which sadly, has now made me even more disabled and get about 3 hours a day, on a good day, to function. Since boiling water to bathe or do dishes takes literally hours, that's about all I get done--- and I have to decide do I bathe or do dishes because without my normal dosage of meds, I can't do both. Again, such fun!! I have until the third week of October to come up with enough money to pay movers, rent a mini-van so I can get me and my fur-babies down there, and so far, I only have about $1,000 saved. Not enough money to even rent the car to get there, not to mention the $6-8k I'll need for the movers! To say our system is broke is an understatement. I would love to try to make some money on line but am clueless about equipment (not that i could afford it), the editing, monetizing, and the list goes on and on. Maybe you can give a beginners class for the disabled community so we might be able to at least try to do this? Sorry for all the venting, it's just so frustrating to go from someone who made good money, supported herself, to now going to food pantries and gathering the few things there I am actually allowed to eat. It's already sinking into the 3p's here at night and since my chimney fell off the roof last spring, I can't even use my woodstove! Harrumph.... So thank you for venting all our frustrations and doing it all with that gorgeous smile of yours! Congrats on your anniversary and I'm sooooo happy that things have finally worked out for you. You give us hope....thank you. Love and Blessings, Grannie Annie from Maine

Having more than 1 disabled person in your family effectively means you're screwed backwards and forwards for life. My mom and brother were disabled, but they were treated as separate cases. All the SSI people saw was that my dad made 60K (USD) a year. They never took into consideration the fact that he was supporting not only my sister and I, but TWO DIFFERENT disabled people. So yeah, America's healthcare/assistance programs are a complete dumpster fire.

I'm in the US and my husband and I had to wait 6 months after our wedding to actually sign our marriage license because I found out I'd be losing my gov subsidized health insurance completely once we got legally married. His insurance through work costs $600/month and the copays are still around $70 each doctors visit and uh, I see a LOT of doctors. In short, it's costing us over $1,000 more a month to be married, and the government says it my own damn fault for marrying someone as a disabled person. So that's nice. Also thank you for making this video!! The cultural stigma around being disabled in the US had me thinking many terrible things about myself. You've really opened my eyes to my own human rights, and I really appreciate it

I am so happy to see you discussing this! I've been in a personal hell for the past three months trying to decide what to do. I am in a loving relationship and we really want to live together but I will lose the majority of my income. I dread being a disabled burden on my partner even though he is kind and loving and honestly doesn't care. He would happily financially support me - but I fought the UK government for years to prove my illness and gain my independence, so now I'm torn on what to do. It feels so dehumanizing and I've really been struggling with it.

"becoming lucy worsley" is a very relatable career goal

Oh my goodness, I make snarky jokes about me (a woman) being ‘property’ in other decades to my partner... but a lot of these income issues sound like they make you legally property (of your parents, then partner?!) because society doesn’t fit or accommodate your body or existence? Humans being property... was never right or wise. Didn’t we already figure this out oh maybe many many times?! Thank you for sharing as always, very helpful to hear perspectives that can engender empathy especially when making voting decisions.

My partner will be penalized when we get married as well, and we live in America. I'll never understand why they think someone should lose the ability to help contribute to their household. And it's an even bigger deal to us because we live in California, and it is expensive. We are probably going to have to relocate because we won't be able to afford the area that we live in after we are married.

This is so bloody important. No one talking about the disability tax. In all of its ugly side xxxxxxxx

Imagine being this cute of a couple

Immediately bought a mug after this video. I love knowing that my purchase could help you pay for a date night with Claudia. Starter course on me!

Use of camera B in this video is spot on. love it. great video per usual.

Oh my gosh, as a blind person from the USA, let me say, YOU NAILED IT

It’s so hard to get help for disability in Canada. As a student I’ve had to apply for so much help and been rejected for ridiculously specific reasons, like I’m just under the line for mobility. There are so few grants and sooo much paperwork in order to apply for the waiting list to be considered for the waiting list for disability aid. I have a working memory LD, I am literally unable to do complicated paperwork on my own. I’m in the fucking system and it’s still so hard to get help!, why does the government make it so harder for those who already have an incredibly difficult time. It’s exhausting. I have another disability but I can’t remember the name of it right now which is honestly part of the problem. Also with depression and bipolar I’m constantly undermined for being irrational for seeking aid. Why do I even try

The UK "welfare" state: if your disability doesn't include suicidal thoughts, it soon will! I'm sorry you've had to go through Tory shittiness too. I am very glad you have lovely Claudia now and that she's worth more than every penny ❤️

Loving the polite rage! I'm one of those people who can't work, but my husband makes "too much" for me to get any benefits. I am so very lucky that his work is able to provide for both of us. Really the only reason why is because he's in the military. He was only going to do 4 years, but when we realized I may never be able to work, he made the decision to do 20 years. That way when he gets out, we will always have that retirement pay and some benefits to help us not become homeless. Honestly without the insurance that the military provides me as a dependent, I'd be up shit creek for sure. But when he's gone (half the time so far in our 12 years married and in the military) I struggle just to take care of myself. I'm not "sick enough" to get a home care worker or any other benefits the military could provide me, basically because I'm able to get out of bed, and function maybe a quarter of the time. Though fun fact, I'm socially labeled as what they call a "Dependa" in US military culture aka "dependapotamus". A Dependa is what they call spouses of a military person who don't work (or "contribute") and just "leech" of their husband's military pay and benefits. They're heavily looked down on and judged, and there are jokes and memes about it everywhere. IMO it's meant to be a label meant for toxic spouses who could work but decide not to, who have a very entitled and egotistical attitude, and insist their spouse's rank is also their rank and should be treated as such. But I get lumped into that label because I'm disabled ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thank you for sharing your story and congrats on your anniversary! I am American, and I grew up below the poverty line in my state. Our income was less than $15,000 per year, before taxes. We were a family of 3, and yet, we did not consistently qualify for benefits. Since my mother's income varied by sometimes as much as $300 each month, and the way it used to be (late 90's early 2000s) was that if the family income varied more than about $150, pay-stubs from that month would have to be submitted, to determine the benefits for the next month...... So my mom would work most of November, so we wouldn't qualify for December though she could only work 5-10 days of that month, but we would then qualify in January. It was the worst in the early summer, since the schools let out in May/June. She would work as many days as she could in May, but in June, she wouldn't have any work and we wouldn't qualify for any assistance... usually she would budget for the tax return to keep us alive every summer.

I'm on disability in Canada and it's the same. I even ended up in an abusive relationship that was made worse because I had to depend on him for any money at all, including to pay for medicines.

Ah, a fellow gay who’s pissed at the government. I stan 🌈

3:09 Glad I'm not the only person who IDOLIZES Lucy Worsley :0)

Those are some of the most beautiful wedding photos. I started to tear up.

Flash back to when my free school meals got cut off because my nan got a 25p pension increase- Guess who straight up didn't eat at school!

I’m glad we’re talking about how these laws where disabled people lose benefits are de facto eugenics

It makes me sick that people who are chronically ill are treated with such a lack of true care. I’m so inspired by you, Jessica. I can’t believe you’ve come so far given how many just awful set backs there were x

I swear to god listening to her talking about her life makes me believe in soulmates

Watching this video gives me even more respect for my mother, she physically disabled, both brothers autistic, and me mentally ill. The government makes me rage daily

There's a lot of homophobia in my school so I don't feel very safe there but your channel just makes me feel safe and comfortable in myself ily both so much!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️‍🌈

I suffer from major depression. And when I lived with my parents, even though I had a job and was over 18, I was allowed to have medical expenses covered through my mom. As soon as I moved out, everything changed. Even though my financial situation and gotten worse, the government decided I made 1k more yearly than their assistance allowed! So I lost paid therapy, I lost paid medicine (that's insanely expensive my gosh), and had to start scouring the internet for help. Its ridiculous how much the government and big businesses act like they care about people with any type of illness, but then boot them off the second they make $1 more or in your case, be with someone they love.

I know this is late but I want to get something different out there, My mother and father are married except my dad is disabled, partly because of past accidents and purely because of old age. Been in numerous hospitals in a span of years and different medical problems occur. It's one of the cases where the wife is much younger than the husband (Not anything weird I assure you) and because of that. Not only must my mom provide for him and me with the only one with a job (A low one at that, because English isn't her native language) she must also deal with her job's, my dad's, and mine's responsibilities (Bills, driving to places, cooking, financial aid at my school, etc). She somehow acts almost as a full time carer to him (Possibly because she used to be a part time nurse), changing diapers, helping him walk, translates (He can basically only speak Chinese), and much more. To this day I'm surprised at how she deals with these types of things even when it seems the whole world is out to get her. There's more she must go through but this comment wouldn't have the space for it. Luckily she somehow can and she's been able to, although I regret and still sometimes do take for granted what she goes through and what she does/accomplishes, and I know I certainly am not making it better... Thank you mom, for everything...

I work for my country’s welfare office and it is honestly awful sometimes knowing everything about a person’s situation but being unable to help them. The base rate of all of our payments have barely increased in years, and there is a huge push to increase them right now... that the government is ignoring in favor of reintroducing drug testing for welfare receivers. 🤬 Thank you so much for this video. Honestly it is hard sometimes to remain free from the welfare agency mindset. You help. ❤️

You and your wife are the cutest couple ive ever seen and what song did you use in the little montage at the beginning and i love your wedding photos Edit: thank you sooo much for almost 500 likes dysphoria is really getting really bad and this has made my day

I needed this. I needed to know it wasn't just me. I've just had this happen to me and my partner in Australia and the address is caused on-top of being in pain every second and going to hospital. He cannot afford to support us both, and I'm now given $0.

This also applies in Australia to an extent if one partner is out of work, you're expected that it's your job to somehow supplement their living expenses just because you're living together and of course you live together to save money to begin with but one person is left paying for all the food, all the transport, so the other can go to those interviews (only to be told after years of being sent to unsuitable job trials that "you should be on disability"... Like they didn't know he had a condition to begin with? Thankfully after a period of horrible depression, and a few horrible jobs, he found a job that helps rather than hurts) and what if both partners are unemployed and you're meant to live on reduced benefits even though welfare hasn't been increased since 1980? The thought of medical costs on top of that (partner, grew up poor, avoids going to the doctor at all even when he's sick so I paid for that too so he could get help, not that anything did) is shocking.

I was on ESA for about 2 years and the fear of the government randomly cutting me off at any moment, for any bullshit reason they could make up, was horrifying. I'm glad youtube has blessed you with all the ad money now! Treat yoself to them socks

Fun fact, when first applying for Disability Allowance, I was on a type of supplemental welfare as I couldn't sign up to the regular one since it required you say you are fit for work. I still had to go to the doctor and get medication though, so applied for medical benifits as well, with a letter from my doctor and a social worker. I was refused on the grounds that I was below the poverty line, literally "you earn too little to qualify for services", they suspected I was being supported elsewhere. I have found many, many loopholes and grey areas.

My face lit up when you mentioned Lucy. I watch anything she's involved with and am frequently jealous of her opportunity to try on period clothes.

This one hit me, Jessica. My boyfriend has had depression for many many many years. He had ESA for one year, around five years ago, but now he's on jobseekers and since he still has paralyzing social anxiety it's not exactly going well. I want to live with him, but I'm not able to afford it and can't see it happening for the next few years. I feel callous almost for saying I can't live with him. But we tried it before and he lost a job and I was left with less than 50 pounds a week to support him. I think with mental health it can be hard, he made so much progress in the last few years, but not enough to manage job interviews... so he's too healthy to be considered disabled, but still so far from getting a job.

This is a very interesting topic I’ve never really thought about it but it’s true the government treats people who have a disability as someone’s burden instead of individuals who want to have agency in their own lives. Financial independence is a huge factor in that.

I love Lucy Worsley too! And I would love to see you do a documentary or something!

and this is literally why there needs to be more representation in government (or at the very bare minimum that ppl think about perspectives other than their own). its painfully obvious in so many places (im from the US) they imagine that everyone lives just like they do and demonize anybody who doesnt ..ugh im so glad youre happy and living your best life! your love for each other btw is so freakin adorable!

I’m a MASSIVE Lucy Worsely fan. She’s amazing!!!

This means a lot to me. I am often terrified that no one will ever love me because I will always be a burden. Not to mention the fact that every year I need to send the government paperwork saying that yes, I am still autistic, as it's not listed as a permanent disability, so I can't even relax and know that the benefits I have now won't suddenly be yoinked away.

If I met a woman like Claudia I would marry her in a heart beat - and I'm straight. I also met Lucy Worsley and ask for her autograph - i was a gibbering wreck

“Spoiler alert, I’m still alive!” Hahaha love you Jessica 😂

Marriage after 4 months I'm screaming the u haul thing is true 😂

I'd wondered how getting married had impacted your disability money and as soon as I saw the title I had the (unfortunate) answer. Congrats on (eventually) making your own money by doing what you love! I've been chronically ill for over a year and unable to work until recently (very part time) and have had to rely on my retired parents' limited fixed income. The guilt and pressure and shame from being financially dependent on someone else can be so intense it can contribute to one's illness. It's even harder to feel well when you have money worries. Also, I'm American and while I imagine our system is even worse here than the UK, I'm shocked at how bad it is there. 😠😢 I'm sorry you've had to go through all this BS with the government. And can't end this comment without first fan-girling over how smart, funny, sweet and beautiful you and Claudia are, both individually and as a couple. 😊💜🌈

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY I LOVE U BOTH IM SO MAD AT CAPITALISM BUT I LOVE LESBIANISM

Me and my partner have to live apart for these very reasons 😢 I'm so happy for you, not having to feel like a financial burden anymore! I adore your videos and thank you for all the talks about disability and other tough subjects. 💐

I admire how brave you are to talk about these issues when you say the topics are hard, but I'm so glad you did because people need to hear what it's like.

And to add, the last two minutes or so made me cry because I can see my partner struggling to be their own independent person. And you talking about that and saying you are so grateful that you can do that now, it just made me so emotional. I'm so happy you found your Claudia and that your channel has taken off!

I live in the U.S and recently I got an opportunity to go to college (yay me! No more being dependent on abusive jerks just to survive!) I have also been trying to get Disability due to physical issues.. I recently found out that if you take MORE than 10 credit hours of college classes ON campus, Then the Dissability people figure you can also work full time and you will be denied/cutoff.

As a disabled person in the U.S I wanted to say thank you for mentioning and for researching the flaws in the system. I am only able to go to school because the tuition is paid for but that could be taken away if I so much as date someone. Good thing I am alone! -self-deprecating laughtrr-

I LOVE LUCY WORSLEY AND YOU ARE NOT ALONE. You would make a fabulous historical presenter!

I was on ESA (I have severe bipolar disorder and a multitude of other mental 'illnesses'). The UK government decided that I was able to work and cut off my access to benefits, they decided that after sending me to an assessment and the 'doctor', who didn't even ask me anything about my illnesses or read the letters from both my GP and psychiatrist, decided that I wasn't 'sick' enough. Fun fact, I can go days or sometimes weeks without talking to a single person (part of my mental illnesses) and when I'm having a manic episode there is no way that I am in any position to hold down a job. The UK benefit system is not even fit for purpose in my opinion.

Okay but I died laughing at the “toiletries, which I go through quickly and you don’t need to know why” while furiously smiling.

Their smiles when they look at each other 😭😭😭 Edit: also those are some of the most beautiful wedding pictures I’ve ever seen

I knew someone in college that couldn't get married until after she'd been through school because she would lose her financial aid. It was hard on her. I'm glad that you're more able to support yourself and each other now!

You rage so charmingly. It’s a proper cheery slow burn. Wish I could do that. I pop like a fire cracker.

I myself am a disabled adult child In the US, I had no idea my benefits would completely disappear if I got married.

I’ve watched every single Lucy worsley documentary I could get my hands on she is a delight and I’d be SO EXCITED if you had a gig like her!

I am disabled with a mental illness that makes it nearly impossible for me to get a job let alone keep one. I have to get and pay for a lawyer just to get benefits. SS does everything not to provide benefits.

Also it takes years to get approved, even if your doctor says you are disabled they have to have years proof. Everyone gets denied the first time they apply, and even though there is a list of medical things that are automatically approved they still fight it. You go to a judge who reads 5 pages of paper and talks to someone who knows about jobs and the ability to work and decide if you are really able to work. Its insane and worthless.

As someone who is disabled and on SSI i feel everything she said in my soul!

Thank you for speaking about this, it's an issue that directly affects me. My partner and I have to remain in a distance relationship for the foreseeable future or I would lose all my money. We'd be reassessed as a couple for Universal Credit and there is no PIP equivalent so I'd lose ESA, Housing Benefit, PIP and my eligibility for council tax reduction.

I'm in the U.S. and am disabled due to a car accident over 20 years ago. I was forced to stay living with my mother who was abusive because I simply didn't receive the money I needed to be able to escape. I couldn't even afford government housing. And even when I called for emergency help when things got even worse I was told no. And due my my not having children I was not eligible for housing assistance. I was only recently able to leave the situation because I am engaged. But I am not allowed to be engaged or married because I will lose part of my income, most of my insurance, and my food stamps if they knew. So I will never be able to be married to the person I love. I live in fear of the government deciding that my living arrangement is more than I said and that we will lose everything and have to move in with my mother because his income is not enough to keep us afloat. As far as the U.S. and state governments are concerned, people like me just need to die off because we are a burden no one wants. You would have thought that with our governor being disabled himself he would want to help us, but no, he has actually done more to hurt us than any other before.

"I can buy socks whenever I want" real dream, real dreams.

What I think would be awesome would be if Jessica And Lucy Worsley did a documentary together, that would make my day!

Hearing all this makes me so mad and I (thankfully) don’t have to live through this. But then there’s you being amazing and funny and I’m so glad you’re educating the world on the difficulties of disabilities (and the abomination that is capitalism). Thank you ❤️

This gave me all the feels. Thank you for addressing such important issues and we are more than happy to be helping you live the life you should and buy all your own socks 🥰