1. What’s Happening with UK Disability Benefits?
- The government plans to cut £5 billion from disability and Universal Credit budgets. Measures include tightening PIP eligibility and ending top‑ups for incapacity benefits for under‑22s (blog.evenbreak.co.uk).
- Although the freeze on PIP was dropped, eligibility assessments are still becoming stricter — potentially affecting over 1 million people with mental health or chronic conditions (Financial Times).
- Charities warn that even previously protected groups, including those with progressive or fluctuating conditionslike Parkinson’s, bipolar, and autism, may now lose critical support (The Guardian).
2. Why This Matters for Neurodivergent People
- For many autistic or ADHD individuals, PIP and other benefits are not optional — they fund therapy, medication, accommodations, and much-needed flexibility, helping avoid burnout (ADHDaptive Ltd).
- Cuts increase financial, emotional, and health insecurity, heightening stress and anxiety — especially given NHS backlogs for diagnosis and treatment .
- The proposed changes create a ripple effect, impacting housing support, privilege access, and paid work capability for neurodivergent individuals (The Guardian).
3. What Neurodivergent People Can Do to Help Themselves
a) Stay Informed & Connect
- Join communities and charities like Scope, Disability Rights UK, and ADHDaptive for policy updates and support (Wikipedia).
- Stay active in BETTER groups like DPAC to voice concerns and follow their guides on welfare campaigns (Wikipedia).
b) Engage Politically
- Write to your MP explaining how the cuts affect your well-being and ability to work.
- Submit personal responses to the Green Paper consultations on “Pathways to Work.” Your lived experience matters (Living Options Devon).
c) Gather Good Evidence
- Secure diagnosis paperwork, medical letters, notes from therapists/employers.
- Request recorded PIP assessments — DPAC campaigns emphasize the power of accurate evidence (neurodiversityuk.co.uk, Wikipedia).
d) Prioritise Self-Care & Anxiety Support
- Learn grounding techniques like 4–7–8 breathing, mindfulness, or clenching/releasing fists.
- Build support networks online (e.g., autism/ADHD peer groups) for shared tips and emotional care.
- Explore low-cost or free mental health support (local community, Mind, Rethink, Kooth).
e) Maximise Other Help
- Check Access to Work and other schemes that support workplace adjustments — these may face cuts, so apply soon (neurodiversityuk.co.uk).
- Consider charitable grants via Scope, Dimensions UK, or local NHS/LA discretionary funds.
f) Plan for Contingencies
- If benefits are reduced, explore budgeting, food banks, reduced-rent housing, and energy grants.
- Join financial planning groups for disabled people to navigate support systems.
4. If You’re Experiencing Anxiety Right Now
- Breathing exercises (e.g., inhale for 4s, hold for 7s, exhale for 8s) can help calm panic.
- Use journaling or CBT apps to document worries and challenge fears.
- Try progressive muscle relaxation, guided meditation, or gentle movement—short routines (5–10 min) offer relief.
- Reach out to a trusted person—text a friend, call a carer, or message a support worker.
- If overwhelmed, dial Samaritans (116 123) or your GP for urgent support.
Final Word
The proposed cuts risk dismantling vital support systems for millions of neurodivergent people — undermining mental health, independence, and livelihoods.
But you’re not powerless:
- Stay informed, speak up, and collect evidence.
- Prioritise mental health and use grounding tools.
- Explore all available support, from charities to community initiatives.
- Reach out if anxiety spikes — you deserve support too.
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