Benefits

Finding your way through the benefits jungle

People who experience mental distress are as entitled to welfare benefits as anyone else. The benefits system is a maze to negotiate, and often more so for those with mental health issues. Application forms for illness/disability benefits such as Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance are geared towards physical health issues, while Jobcentre Plus and Disability and Carers' Service staff are often unaware of mental health issues.

People with mental health issues have the lowest rate of employment of any disability group. People with mental health issues often want to work, but may be reluctant to take up employment for fear of becoming financially insecure. Those who remain in receipt of benefit also experience insecurity due to uncertainty over benefit reviews.

Mind is working with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to make the benefits system more accessible for people with mental health difficulties. 

Incapacity Benefit reform

Mind's briefing for the second reading of the Welfare Reform Bill, 21 July 2006 (PDF file)

Following consultation on its proposals to reform Incapacity Benefit, it is expected that the Government will publish their welfare reform bill before the end of June 2006. Read Mind's full response to the Government's consultation (PDF file).

Read a short overview of Mind's concerns (PDF file). 
Read Mind's full briefing here (PDF file).

In the meantime the parliamentary Work and Pensions Select Committee have completed their inquiry into Incapacity Benefit and the proposed reforms, to which Mind submitted written and oral evidence. Read the Work and Pensions Select Committee report (PDF file). The Government should then publish a response to this report and this is expected by the end of June 2006.  

Latest topic: welfare benefit changes for people in hospital

Contact: puadministrator@mind.org.uk (General enquiries)