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Read about policy issues and campaigns below:
Self Directed Support - Have your say. Click here to find out more...
As part of our ongoing social policy work we are interested in hearing from people who have applied for or are in the process of applying for Self Directed Support. We would like to know about your views and experiences.
These could include:
- The claiming process including information and help given to complete the support plan.
- The amount of time you have waited or been waiting for a response or for action to be taken
- How satisfied you were with the support you received and the way in which it was administered and organised
- How flexible the system has been in adjusting to changes in your support needs.
Please email us we would be very interested to hear about these and any other experiences around Self Directed Support you want to put forward. (Added 03/04/2012)
Mind - Campaigning on Welfare Reform
Please get involved and help Mind to fight for a fair and effective welfare and benefits system for people with mental health problems - visit Mind's website for more information on how to get involved. They would particularly like to hear about your experiences of benefits and the welfare system. (Item added 24/02/2012)
ESA - have your say!
If you have been claiming sickness benefit, such as Incapacity Benefit, for some time, you will be reassessed during the next three years to see whether you are entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). If you are being reassessed it is important that you don't ignore any letters or calls as this will affect your benefits. Citizens Advice wants to hear your experiences of being reassessed so that we can campaign for improvements in the system. Simply fill in the diary on the Citizens Advice web site as you go through the ESA claiming process. Your responses are completely confidential and anonymous. If you have difficulty completing the diary on line or downloading the paper form, then contact us (see details to the right) and we will send you a paper copy. (Item open until 2014)
SHU report - changes to IB hitting the North hardest
A new report from Sheffield Hallam University on the impact of current changes to incapacity benefits has been published. The report, Incapacity Benefit Reform, the local, regional and national impact estimates that by 2014 the reforms will cut incapacity claimant numbers by nearly one million, of which more than 800,000 will be existing incapacity claimants who will lose their entitlement. The report also stages that the loss of entitlement is entirely the result of new benefit rules. It does not necessarily indicate that the health problems or disabilities that previously gave entitlement are anything other than genuine and shows that the reforms will hit the North hardest. (Item added 10.11.11)
Changes to ESA from Spring 2012
The DWP has started to send out letters to people receiving Employment and Support Allowance. The letters tell claimants that there will be a 12 month time limit for people in the work related activity group of contribution-based ESA. After 12 months on contribution-based ESA entitlement stops. After that people will have to claim income-related ESA, if they meet the means-test and other conditions. There may be many people who do not meet the means-test because they have savings or because their partner works. We understand that the letters are being sent to all ESA claimants, regardless of whether they are affected by the change. For example, the time-limiting proposal will not affect those in the Support Group or those already only receiving income-related ESA. If you have received such a letter and it has caused you stress or anxiety we suggest that you let your MP know. You can find out who your MP is from the Sheffield City Council web site. If you do take your letter to your MP, let us know how you get on. You can contact us via our feedback page. (Item added 10/11/11)
ESA evidence wanted
Mind and the Public Law Project are looking for evidence of how ESA is working. If your circumstances match one of the situations listed below then let us know. Contact us on our feedbackpage. We will then contact you to find out more and pass your details on to the relevant workers.
a. Claimants who have already been through the WCA and negatively affected by it but who are then successful on appeal because of additional medical evidence. By negatively affected - we mean that they found their mental health condition exacerbated or experienced additional stress because of the process.
b. Claimants with mental health problems that would affect them so that they are not capable of working but who have abandoned the process altogether as it was too stressful /made them too anxious. (Item added 10/11/11)
Turn2us charity mapping fuel poverty
Turn2us has launched an online campaign to highlight the level of fuel poverty across the UK and promote financial support available to people this winter. Visit Turn2us' website to find out more and to get involved. (Item added 11/11/11)
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