A leading Welsh charity is warning that 80,000 disabled people in Wales could be at risk of losing their benefits due to government cut-backs.

Cardiff, Vales and Valleys (CVV), part of the RNIB Cymru Group, will be heading for the Houses of Parliament on May 11th to take part in the ‘Hardest Hit’ march, one of the biggest protests mounted by disabled groups in the UK.

Members of CVV, which provides support and services to people with sight loss in Wales, will be joining a coalition of over 40 disability charities and organisations, to campaign against government cutbacks in disability benefits and services.

Carol Adams, Head of Development CVV said: “We are deeply concerned about the impact that planned cuts could have to benefits. Cuts to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) alone could affect 80,000 people in Wales claiming middle and lower rate DLA care support. 

They could be under threat of a significant reduction or removal of their DLA benefits altogether.
People currently receiving DLA middle rate care could have their payment reduced from the current £55 a week to just £20 a week for middle rate care with people on the lower rate losing their entitlement.”

According to the Hardest Hit coalition, research by Demos and Scope*, estimates that disabled people and their families will be over £9bn worse off over the course of this parliament.

Mrs Adams added: “These vital benefits help disabled people to live independent lives.  They will be amongst the people hardest hit by the government’s cuts, losing out in multiple areas including benefit reforms and service cutbacks. We would like to see the government urgently review these cutbacks.”

Organisers are estimating that over 10,000 disabled people from all over the UK will join the peaceful protest.
According to RNIB Cymru Group, parties will be leaving major towns and cities on May 11th to travel to London for the march.
Danny Eggar is 23 from Cardiff, he claims DLA: "I'm joining the march as I'm afraid that many of my friends will be affected. I use my DLA for transport, taxis to the doctors, shopping and on software for my computer which is expensive. I'm really worried that if there are cuts I won’t be able to do everything that I am able to do at the moment, and will lose my independence."

The Hardest Hit campaign is coordinated by The UK Disabled People’s Council and the Disability Benefits Consortium, a coalition of over 40 disability charities and organisations.