Local campaign
Problems made worse by not recognising different circumstances.
Our male client is homeless but lives in a tent not accommodation provided by the council or charity. He has mental health problems but no contact with health services. He has no bank account, photo ID or mobile phone. In October he missed a health assessment linked to his Employment Support Allowance. The benefit was stopped as a result. He is appealing the sanction while living on hoarded savings.
This kind of situation is no longer unusual. The number of clients we call ‘street homeless’ has grown. Some are vulnerable, some at real risk of bigger problems. All need more individual support than those with ‘normal’ lifestyles.
A fair social benefits system obviously depends on rules including sanctions. But there is growing evidence of sanctions imposed without enough regard to individual circumstances.
In our campaign we’re asking advisers, supporters and stakeholders to help decision-makers see the value of a more individual approach. We think this would improve the DWP’s reputation and the life chances of some of our less conventional clients. It would likely save time and money too.