Benefits campaign

2004 campaign

Tucked away in the March 2005 budget was the fantastic news that the rules that mean people's benefits were cut to a miserly £15.90 a week after they have been classed as inpatients for more than a year was scrapped in April 2006. This meant that thousands of people in hospital with mental health problems were going to be be better off.

The pittance that people were meant to survive on was meant to cover toiletries, newspapers, sweets, and other small personal items. But many people were expected to buy their own clothing from this, if their health trust did not fulfil their duty to do so. No money was left over to buy gifts or cards for friends and family on special occasions, or other so called luxuries. The weekly allowance was demeaning, damaging to people's dignity and self-respect and often set back their recovery.

Please follow the link below for more up to date information on Mind's work around benefits.

More on £15.90 campaign

Find out more about Mind's policy work on benefits