Welfare reform

There was initially good news as the Government was defeated on their plans for restricting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). They wanted to means test ESA for some of those claiming the benefit for more than one year, but the House of Lords rejected that part of the Bill, voting through an amendment to allow at least two years of ESA without means testing it.

However the Bill went back to the House of Commons where the Government was able to overturn this decision. The Government's proposal means, for example, that someone living with HIV and unable to work might not be entitled to ESA if they have savings or a partner who is employed.

The Government's plans for the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA), have also been voted through. The Government is planning to introduce a new face-to-face assessment, along similar lines to the one used for ESA applications.

We have serious concerns because we know people have been unhappy about the unfair ESA assessments, and furthermore the Government has already said that it plans to reduce the DLA bill by 20 per cent as part of the transition.

To find out more information about how these changes might affect you and how to prepare for them, visit the Benefit cuts section of our website, or phone THT Direct on 0808 802 1221.

You can also campaign with us to help make sure benefits assessments are as fair as possible for people with HIV.