Madeleine Alexander-Grout, a prominent benefits influencer with tens of thousands of TikTok followers, dedicates her platform to helping individuals with ADHD and anxiety navigate the complex process of claiming support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). She has openly criticized recent cuts to benefits by the Labour Party government, calling them “utterly disgusting” and expressing deep concern for those who rely on this support.
As someone who has supported Labour, Madeleine shared her disappointment: “The people who need it are going to be massively affected by this. Disabled people shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get it.” She accused both the DWP and the Labour Party of “pulling the rug out from people who rely on it,” emphasizing that those who apply genuinely need assistance.
Madeleine highlighted the validity of self-diagnosed conditions, saying, “If they are self-diagnosing, it’s still genuinely valid. Why would you think you have a disability if you don’t? We are not languishing – we are trying to survive.”
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She explained that her own benefit helps her remain in work by funding necessary services to contribute to society and support her family. However, Madeleine fears further reductions: “I think they are going to make massive changes. It wouldn’t surprise me if it gets taken away.”
Acknowledging the need for accountability, she added, “I do agree there should be a bit more testing to make sure people have the disability they claim they have. It’s not easy to apply for. You can’t just make up symptoms. I genuinely feel if somebody was making the effort to make all of that up, they should be in prison.”
Amanda Perry, an ADHD business mentor, echoed these concerns about the politicization of disability and neurodivergence. She said, “Disability and neurodivergence is a new pawn in culture wars, with everyone jumping on it for whatever reason. It just means it makes it incredibly difficult for people to navigate their way through life when they’re already not on a level playing field.”