The government will make extra payments to people getting means-tested benefits, tax credits, and disability benefits (including DLA for children), under pressure to respond to the cost of living crisis. Cost of living payments People getting low-income means-tested benefits will get a cost of living payment of £650. This will be split into two instalments of £326 and £324. The first instalment will be paid between 14 July to end of July 2022. The second instalment in autumn 2022. This will be paid the usual way you get your benefit, there is no need to … Read more
On Wednesday 25 May, the disability benefit assessment companies – Atos (Independent Assessment Services), Capita and Maximus (Health Assessment Advisory Service) – are called to answer questions from MPs on the all-party Work and Pensions Committee inquiry into disability benefit assessments. Disabled women and men will be watching closely. ** Watch online Wednesday at 9.15am here or anytime later on. Debbie Abrahams MP’s questions to Capita and Atos were at 10:05:28 onwards on the video. Report by John Pring, Disability News Service here Our evidence to the MPs’ inquiry documented how: · The assessment system … Read more
Disabled claimants forced to move onto Universal Credit have won their legal challenge against loss of the full severe disability premium amount again, and also disabled child element. The solicitors Leigh Day said: “In a scathing judgment handed down [on 21 January], the DWP is found to have discriminated against [the claimants TP and AR] when it didn’t compensate them the full circa £180 a month difference in the payments they received on legacy benefits and the payments they received on UC when they moved into an area where UC had already been rolled out. … Read more
In October 2021, disabled claimants were back in court for the third time to challenge benefit losses under Universal Credit compared to previous benefits. We have been supporting the two disabled men, anonymously called TP and AR. This time, Disability News Service reported that a disabled mother and her family who have joined the case, were losing nearly £400 a month (report below). Solicitor Rachel Lovell from Southwark Law Centre, who represents the family, has kindly explained it to us more: The mum, anonymously called “AB”, has a disabled partner “CD”. As they are both … Read more
Here is our response to the DWP consultation: Shaping Future Support — Health and Disability Green Paper Response by WinVisible (women with visible & invisible disabilities) We are a grassroots multi-racial organisation with a UK-wide network, enabling disabled women of different backgrounds and situations to have a voice. On benefits, we provide self-help information, peer support, advocacy and campaigning which has helped many disabled women win or keep hold of our benefit rights. No cut to Universal Credit! #CancelTheCut which hits sick and disabled people, single mothers and children, 300,000 unpaid family carers, many of … Read more
WinVisible is joining this protest tomorrow. Join in person or on Twitter @NotSeparation @WinVisibleWomen Support Not Separation say: NO cut to Universal Credit! Protect mothers & children NOT violent men! “The family court picket is back! Join us Wed 6 Oct, 12.30 – 1.30pm“Outside London family court First Ave House, 42-49 High Holborn, WC1V 6NP “On the day the £20 a week cut to Universal Credit takes effect, we are back from lockdown outside the family court. Tens of thousands of children are taken into “care” every year. The cut to UC will have devastating consequences, especially for … Read more