A mum of two disabled daughters believes the government making welfare cuts adds to 'stigma' that people on benefits are 'scumbags'.

Macclesfield resident Raegan Furness has been left disappointed after the Spring Statement revealed the government will tighten the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

The 37-year-old is a full-time carer to daughters Amelia-Star, 12, who has ADHD, and Kacie-Rae, eight, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.

The single mum claims universal credit and disability living allowance (DLA) for them, as well as PIP, as she struggles herself with mental health issues, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

She feels the government making cuts to benefits in today's (March 26) Spring Statement - which may see her PIP allowance reduced or taken away - will do more harm than good.

Raegan: "By making cuts, the people you're taking away from are some of the most vulnerable in society.

"There is already a stigma that people on benefits are scumbags - and that we're taking when we shouldn't be.

"I understand some people may be exploiting the system, but for those of us who aren't, we need a little bit of empathy.

"People like us are still going to foodbanks and counting pennies, even with our allowances.

"By going for our payments, it reinforces the fact that the government don't value disabled people."

Raegan has fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, severe PTSD, anxiety and depression (Credit: SWNS)

Along with being a full-time carer and single mum to her two daughters, Raegan is unable to work because of her own conditions.

While her children's disability payments are unlikely to change, she fears she will be told she is no longer entitled to PIP and be forced to get a job.

She said: "I'm not well and I also have unwell children - my PIP keeps us surviving.

"The DLA and universal credit alone doesn't cover food, bills or travel.

"If I get re-assessed and I lose my PIP, I'll have to work or I can't feed my family.

"But then who will care for my daughters? Especially Kacie.

"If I went back to work then my children would end up in care.

"The authorities would then have to support them - and that would cost the taxpayer more."

Raegan fears her children would end up in care if she goes back to work (Credit: SWNS)

Raegan said she understands the reason that the government are tightening up on PIP entitlements, but more 'empathy' is needed.

She felt the application process was 'belittling and degrading' already - and making it tougher isn't the answer.

She said: "I know that something has to happen because there are people claiming who shouldn't be.

"But I don't think the assessments can be any tighter than they already are.

"But it will be a lot harder for people to make their first claims, which is worrying. Often by the time they make a claim, these people are already unwell and might not have the strength to fight.

"In my opinion, it's disgusting. We're at crisis point.

"It makes us feel vilified and attacked. The problem isn't people claiming universal credit and PIP, the problem is mismanagement of funds.

"And yet people just think we're all taking when we shouldn't be - there's a lot of ignorance in the community.

"People don't understand that one day your life can change and you can no longer work.

"After this, I don't feel safe."

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