Voices
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BENEFITS
I
sit down and listen to my voiceMental Health Welfare Benefits
Our Benefits System is not working. It's failing us people with
mental illness. It's more user friendly for the physically ill/disabled.
Some key issues include:
- Making
the system easier to use;
- Benefit
levels not to go down or be stopped for long-term in-patients;
- Moving
between work and benefits, and promoting uptake of DLA;
- Waiting
times for payments are too long;
- People
with MH problems unable to get Income Support should
still get free treatment and prescriptions as for
physical illness.
- DWP
shouldn't question incapacity status, as this may be
worrying. Sensitivity needed about health problems - if
discussing them, try to avoid making us end up in tears.
- Carers
benefits rights should also be treated sensitively, and
not reduced or stopped unnecessarily.
- The
mentally ill in the community still have to pay rent,
bills, food, clothes, toiletries, etc, at the same price
as everyone else.
- Long
stay In-patients need new clothes, not have to rely on
hospital finding some, or borrowing some. £15.50 a week
is not much to cover their needs.
WuShan