Mental Health and the Benefit System – A Call for Change
Mental health is a growing problem across the private and public sectors. 1 in 4 people in the UK experience a mental health problem each year.
Because mental health issues leave many people either unable to work or with additional costs and expenses to pay, they often rely on claiming benefits.
However, clients with mental health issues seen by North Tyneside Citizens Advice are often finding that dealing with the benefits system:
- Makes their mental health worse
- Presents administrative problems they are unable to deal with
In Mental Health and the Benefits System – A Call for Change we’re calling for the following changes in order to make the benefits system fairer for people with mental health issues:
- Offer Alternatives to Digital Claims where appropriate
- Abolish the 5-Week Waiting Period
- Greater Payment Flexibility for those who need it
- Better Decision-Making and Support on Work Capability and PIP Assessments
- Restoration of lost Disability Elements and Premiums
- Overpayments from Official Error to no longer be recoverable
- Early Intervention Advice being made a priority
Full report: Mental Health and the Benefits System – A Call for Change
