Thanks James,
Tired or not, that was very useful. I can see I've been committing the classic error of reading the poem from the perspective of one who knows how it was all intended
Still, finding that out is one of the benefits of workshopping.
I guess even if someone does know the historical usage of "useless eater", there's no reason why it shouldn't be read in its general sense of "someone who is seen as requiring assistance from society but offering nothing in return" without it seen as being specifically relating to disability. And if you're not familiar with its historical usage, it likely implies something similar to that anyway.
And you're right that the poem includes stereotypes that apply to all people on social security. I was including both since disabled people on social security are a subset of people on benefits, they are subject to both sets of stereotype. But no reason the reader shouldn't read, as you did, that this is about all people on benefits (or all don't work), of whom disabled people are a subset. So perhaps the poem needs to be more narrowly focussed.
And yes, it does seem that some of the stereotypes are specific to modern British narratives, and unfamiliar to non-Brits. I guess since it's British narratives around state support for disabled people that I was intending to write about, that's necessarily going to be a challenge.
Anyway, lots to think about, including, as you suggest, the possibility of a subtler ending.
It may be that this isn't working in its present form, and I just need to start again.
best,
Matt