UK: Disability benefits (UC, ESA and PIP) - news and updates 2026

JellyBabyKid said:
I have just looked up the relevant links for anyone that would like to copy this post and share it:

Are you registered to vote? link here:
www.gov.uk

Register to vote

Register to vote to take part in elections in the UK. Includes how to get on the electoral register and how to update your address on the register.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

Are you registered for a postal vote? link here:
www.gov.uk

Apply for a postal vote

Use this service to apply to vote by post so you can take part in elections in the UK. You must be registered to vote in the UK before you can apply.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

if you cannot go to the polling station in person, you can get someone else to vote on your behalf (a proxy) Link here to register:
www.gov.uk

Apply for a proxy vote

Use this service to apply to vote by proxy in certain elections in the UK. You and your proxy must both be registered to vote in the UK.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
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My point was more that these options are coming up short for many without help (whether direct, or because their disability makes everything that much harder including work etc. and so things that might drop off busy people's lists who aren't disabled are even more impacted because eg you intend to go to polling station after work but end up too unwell, or the bus being late makes the difference etc).

I can also think of all sorts of situations where unless you have a trusted carer (on votes) to post it (postal) or vote the way you request (proxy) then you'd benefit from there being an interim/mediator in the process to help someone to get the signing up for it and then doing the one or the other actually done.

Although of course the complication is who that mediator/help organisation could be given it is someone's vote. And the concern of accusations that said organisation could be focusing on those that vote their way or not non-partisan, there is a huge risk too as it only takes one offer of help going wrong - even for genuine reasons like a neighbour not getting someone's vote to the station because something cropped up or forgetting, so its fraught I guess with complications.

ie it is a 'bigger issue' that I'm not sure can be quickly fixed and/or needs to be done so carefully probably at a bigger level (general disability charity asking questions?) but it doesn't feel like it would be easy for enough people to actually be in a combined situation where they can access it for all different sorts of disabilities+situaiton combined.


I've just found the following: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance-returning-officers-assistance-voting-disabled-voters

https://www.myvotemyvoice.org.uk/join-us/who-has-joined-my-vote-my-voice/ which includes charities such as mencap

and this from 2022 about funding to increase accessibility for certain groups:

Disability organisations receive funding to ensure everyone can exercise their right to vote - United Response

United Response and Dimensions have partnered up to help end inaccessible voting for underrepresented communities.
www.unitedresponse.org.uk www.unitedresponse.org.uk

there is this research from 2023:
 
Scope has the following on accessible campaigning to disabled candidates:

Accessible election campaigning as a disabled candidate. | Disability charity Scope UK

Scope have launched guidance for candidates on how to make your campaigning accessible during the election. Reflecting on their experience, a disabled person running to be an MP anonymously discusses how the guide can help future MPs shape a more equal future.
www.scope.org.uk www.scope.org.uk

I've found things from RNIB and learning disability.

There is the following: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/...pbDpWfTMY62Oh5YiJYHA9q66IY05rO7l14vwyordKWDss

which seems to be about campaigning to reinstate the Access to Elected Office Fund

the following confirms in the postal vote section that you can apply for adjustments if you can't sign your name :
www.bromley.gov.uk

Accessibility of elections – London Borough of Bromley

Accessibility of elections
www.bromley.gov.uk www.bromley.gov.uk

But I haven't seen yet any solution to the posting it back part..

I haven't searched for ages yet however.
 
bobbler said:
My point was more that these options are coming up short for many without help
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Ah. I see.

I think there is still significant value in making sure that as many disabled people as possible are registered to vote and signed up for a postal or proxy vote, as a starting point.

bobbler said:
I can also think of all sorts of situations where unless you have a trusted carer (on votes) to post it (postal) or vote the way you request (proxy) then you'd benefit from there being an interim/mediator in the process to help someone to get the signing up for it and then doing the one or the other actually done.
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Yes. This feels like the pressure point that needs focus as the next step; making sure people have a person who can reliably post or proxy vote.

The final and bigger issue would be, as you identified; how to make voting fully accessible to all.

These three issues need very different solutions, and while the first would benefit from an awareness campaign, I am not entirely sure what can be done about the second the third, but definitely need raising with the ME charities, and wider disability charities as this needs them working together.
 
JellyBabyKid said:
Ah. I see.

I think there is still significant value in making sure that as many disabled people as possible are registered to vote and signed up for a postal or proxy vote, as a starting point.



Yes. This feels like the pressure point that needs focus as the next step; making sure people have a person who can reliably post or proxy vote.

The final and bigger issue would be, as you identified; how to make voting fully accessible to all.

These three issues need very different solutions, and while the first would benefit from an awareness campaign, I am not entirely sure what can be done about the second the third, but definitely need raising with the ME charities, and wider disability charities as this needs them working together.
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it seems like other charities have been inputting into funding alternatives/support for example with learning disabilities and RNIB

and/or others have potentially been looking at and inputting into the electoral commission documents for returning officers for example: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance-returning-officers-assistance-voting-disabled-voters

exhaustion gets mentioned as a 'thing' that those in the polling stations needs to be aware of re: reasonable accommodations - and of course some of the areas where some pwme will struggle will be familiar to/consistent with larger groups such as someone who has another illness or is going through a round of treatment like chemo etc.

It just seems a bit mad - what does someone who might be in hospital with eg a cancer operation or had emergency surgery and in traction get offered to make sure they can vote (as you can't easily change your location last minute can you?).. I'm curious.

But yes I don't think these things are sensibly approach as 'just from pwme' but the gaps left covering us, as well as others who fall into those gaps, it does feel like someone needs to be starting to say it is about time those questions are tackled satisfactorily/better. Or maybe it exists but we just aren't aware of it - I haven't exhaustively been looking into it.

They (the charity/org (s) representing wider disability or illness) also might have 'institutional memory' on the 'what could help in the mean time' options as they might have looked into some things we might think of then found and considered the draw backs (it isn't like finding someone to just drop off milk)

Theoretically there isn't an election coming up very soon atm so it seems the right time to prioritise the thing that to do it needs time to go about it the right way - and I mean about chats with those other charities/experts etc - I wouldn't publicise it, just look into what's possible. And it is only useful if it is the right people who are astute to discussing the various complications and complexities as the focus is on what the drawbacks and issues are ie the 'whether' there is a way to do it (as you don't want to do something that would never get anywhere but will draw flak given the current climate).

I thinking the hurdle is in working out what can sensibly be asked for, when and how to go about it as it might be more about 'project' (being able to suggest sensible adjustments and ask why they aren't available, and that back-and-forth) than pressure, given 'accessibility' is technically covered it is just a case of understanding that mandate perhaps.
 
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