Teignbridge CAB Campaign for Disabled Claimants

The manager of Teignbridge Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Ken Pckering, claims that disabled people are being made to feel like ‘scroungers’ and ‘criminals’, reported the 'Herald Express' on 24th August 2011.

The CAB has set up an area it website for people to tell their own story at

http://www.teignbridgecab.org.uk/Your-Story.htm

At a recent meeting, Ken said changes to the benefits system are making people feel marginalised and discouragiing them from claiming benefits which are due to them. Since January, people who are off work because of illness or disability can no longer claim Incapacity Benefit, but have to claim Employment Support Allowance instead. This is leading to iincreased hardship, as the conditions for such claims are more stringent. Services are being cut at a time when more people are in need of them.

The meeting agreed to look at ways that more information and advice could be provided. It was also decided to make the area available on the website, as a way of helping to give people a voice. The information dgathered will also be used to influence social policy development.