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DWP failing the Autism communtiy

outraged

I have just heard from an aquantance. He has an Aspergers diagnosis but I think HFA would be more accurate. He has been transfered from ESA to jobseekers with "special consideration" and immediately sanctioned for failing to attend. He was told he would not be paid even hardship allowance (approx £30/week) for the first half of his sanction as he is not considered a "vulnerable person" so has to survive fifteen days without any income!

He is now starving and reliant on myself and other members of a local support group giving him foodstuffs, causing significant damage to his self-esteem and making him depressed.

The voucher that should have entitled him to a weeks supply of foodstuffs was filled with significantly less than what the NTs were recieving, specifically: 500g pasta, 500g rice, 1 bag generic cornflakes, 1kg sugar, 4 cans generic baked beans...as a weeks food!! The jobcenter cannot be allowed to deny benefit to persons with ASVs whereas the only provision for nutrition is based on a persons ability to elict empathy from a volunteer in competition with a bunch of NTs... 

If you agree that the DWP continues to fail our community, and that NAS should take a stronger stance with this governmental department, then please indicate such below. There will be no change untill we demand it.

Parents

  • Hi Outraged, our welfare adviser has mentioned that if the decision to stop ESA was recent your friend should consider challenging that decision, more info here -

    www.autism.org.uk/.../benefit-appeals.aspx .

     

     I'd still very much encourage them to make an appointment with our adviser. Our policy team have said;

    "It is clear that the benefits system often fails to meet the needs of people with autism. Just last year the Court of Appeal recognised that it disadvantages people with autism, mental health problems and learning disabilities.

    The NAS consistently raises the needs of people with autism to the Department of Work and Pensions, particularly in relation to Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, as well as conditionality and sanctions. It is important for the DWP to understand how a person’s disability can impact on their understanding of rules and to consider what adjustments should be made so that people with autism are not unfairly punished."

Reply

  • Hi Outraged, our welfare adviser has mentioned that if the decision to stop ESA was recent your friend should consider challenging that decision, more info here -

    www.autism.org.uk/.../benefit-appeals.aspx .

     

     I'd still very much encourage them to make an appointment with our adviser. Our policy team have said;

    "It is clear that the benefits system often fails to meet the needs of people with autism. Just last year the Court of Appeal recognised that it disadvantages people with autism, mental health problems and learning disabilities.

    The NAS consistently raises the needs of people with autism to the Department of Work and Pensions, particularly in relation to Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, as well as conditionality and sanctions. It is important for the DWP to understand how a person’s disability can impact on their understanding of rules and to consider what adjustments should be made so that people with autism are not unfairly punished."

Children
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