Benefits are a real lifeline for many people with HIV who need help meeting the costs of living with the condition. These may include prescription charges, expensive travel costs and higher laundry bills.
Since coming into power, the Government has been majorly reforming the benefits system. They have changed who can qualify for Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and the Social Fund and how much people can claim. Meanwhile many of you have told us about unfair and poor assessments, leading to cuts to your benefit entitlement.
Next year, new face-to-face assessments will be introduced for the Personal Independence Payment, which will replace Disability Living Allowance. The Government have already said they want to further reduce the benefits bill through these assessments.
We want you to campaign with us against how people with HIV are unfairly bearing the brunt of Government spending cuts. Here are some ways you can help.
Hardest Hit Week of Action (20 – 26 October 2012)
The Hardest Hit campaign brings together individuals and organisations to send a clear message to the Government: stop these cuts now. We think that the Government are unfairly hitting disabled people and their families by withdrawing so many of the benefits and services that they rely on.
This campaign depends on ordinary people taking action. In October, you can support the campaign during the Hardest Hit Week of Action. This will begin with Hardest Hit activists attending the TUC march on Saturday 20 October, and there will be more opportunities to meet your local MP and councillors, take part in social media actions, and much more. Watch this space!
Email your MP calling for fairer benefits assessments
Many of you have told us stories about being refused Employment and Support Allowance by assessors that appeared to know very little about HIV. In many cases, these decisions have been overturned on appeal.This is an even bigger worry, because those receiving Disability Living Allowance will soon have a similar face-to-face assessment when applying for the new Personal Independence Payment.
Help us to make sure the assessments and decisions about disability benefits are carried out by people who understand HIV by emailing your MP today. You can ask them to write to the Employment Minister to request better HIV awareness training for benefits assessors and decision makers. It only takes two minutes.
Email your MP today