Category Archives: benefits

Get ready for work: what woman who needs constant care was told

Ruth Anim has learning difficulties, a heart problem and epilepsy. A work capability test by Atos said she should prepare for a job

Cecilia Anim describes how she was told to take her disabled daughter for a test to see if she could get a job Link to this videoRuth Anim needs constant one-to-one care, has no concept of danger and attends life skills classes to learn practical things like how to make a sandwich or a cup of tea. So it came as a considerable surprise to her mother, Cecilia, that an official assessment of her daughter’s abilities classified her as someone who would be capable of finding work in the near future.

Benefits changes: Universal Credit system warning

Seventy organisations involved in the benefits system have raised concerns about a government overhaul.

9 September 2012 Last updated at 09:06

 

The Universal Credit aims to make the system simpler by replacing five work-based benefits with one benefit.

The groups are worried about moving to monthly payments, access to an online system and whether a new IT system will be ready by an October 2013 deadline.

The government says managing the system online will save money, and that the new benefit is set to come in on time.

Ministers have said they are determined to reform the system, so it pays people to work rather than claim benefits.

Written evidence, seen by BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend, was submitted to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee by organisations representing councils, charities, trades unions, business groups and housing organisations.

Shipley charity to offer advice sessions on how to find jobs

A project to help unpaid carers in the Bradford district back into work will start next month as new figures show half of them want employment.

7:00am Saturday 25th August 2012 in News By Hannah Postles

Carer Madalyn Adey Carer Madalyn Adey

The weekly ‘work club’ has been developed by the Shipley -based charity Carers’ Resource after figures from Carers UK show there are 47,886 carers in the district – but only 50 per cent of them are in work.

The new Carers’ Resource employment and training enterprises (CReate), funded by Job Centre Plus, will offer carers one-to-one advice on topics including writing a CV and good interview techniques as well as the opportunity to search for vacancies, find out about college courses and understand their employment rights.

Maralyn Adey, who cares after her son Kristian, 27, who has Down’s Syndrome as well as heart and lung problems, is now retired but did work part time.

She said: “If carers want to work they should be able to, even if it’s just something for them to do for a few hours.

“You get bogged down doing what you’re doing. You don’t often meet other people and you don’t get much stimulation. You’re just so dedicated to doing what you’re doing.”

Mrs Adey, of Wrose , Shipley, said a lot of carers struggled to make ends meet, with Carer’s Allowance working out at about £1.65 an hour.