A 21-year-old who received £1,400 per month in benefits said the guilt was ‘eating them alive’.
Although they’d been told to ‘forget about employment’ while studying, they said they sometimes felt they were ‘just getting paid for existing’.
The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC) recipient said they felt uncomfortable telling people about their income and asked fellow Reddit users for advice.
READ MORE: Binman says food waste ‘won’t be emptied’ if caddy contains one thing
The student said: “I have been receiving PIP since I was 17, and UC since I was 19 (I’m 21 now).
“I get £1,400 a month because I have a (hidden) disability – high functioning autism – and while I am studying I was told to forget about employment and rely on the benefits instead.
“Recently, the guilt has been eating me alive. I have excess income every month but barely any savings.
“I pay rent and for my own food and clothes of course but I still live at home so I don’t have the usual household costs.
“Does anyone else feel like this? I just feel like I get paid for existing sometimes, and when people ask ‘what do you do?’ I just say I am studying but I know they mean what do I do for money, and saying ‘oh I’m claiming benefits’ makes me uncomfortable because people often can’t even tell I am autistic.
“I just want to know if anyone else feels this way, and how do you deal with it?”
One reply read: “The attitude towards disabled people has grown increasing hostile lately, and I do think we’re being intentionally pushed towards feeling guilty simply for existing as a result.
“I think it’s important to remind ourselves that being disabled isn’t a moral failing, and dealing with chronic illness/disability and living on less than minimum wage isn’t something 99% of people would choose.
“It’s okay to get the help you’re entitled to, and you shouldn’t feel bad for being entitled to that help.”
A second comment read: “You’re not the only one struggling with this. I’m on Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA)because of a lot of issues I have but sometimes I just feel like I’m not disabled enough to be getting it, even though I very much appreciate it.
“I know I’m even eligible for PIP, I’ve been told that by doctors but I just don’t claim it cause I feel like I’m being greedy.”
A third added: “My dad told me to say ‘I’m living on independent means’ when I first started work.
“He said people are just nosy and it’s none of their business.”
Another forum user said: “If you don’t need the money, don’t claim the benefits?
“To be honest if you know you could work, you should work. Why not push yourself to be better if you think you could do that?”
This prompted a response from the original poster, who said: “If I didn’t claim, I wouldn’t be able to live my life.
“I should’ve made it clearer, but I am unable to work. I can just about do my studies so having both isn’t an option for me.
“I push myself to be better everyday, but my better might look a bit different than the average person.”
The commenter then replied: “In that case let yourself breathe and try to stop analysing if you are worthy.
“As long as you were honest when applying, and you were determined suitable to be in receipt of the benefits in question by a medical professional decision maker, you’re all good.
“Enjoy your studying and just don’t worry about what others think, it’s none of their business.”