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Citizens Advice response to the new regulations for Employment and Support Allowance

28-03-2008

Citizens Advice Social Policy Officer Vicky Pearlman, said:

“We welcome today’s announcement of more money for some of the poorest and most disabled people on Employment Support Allowance (ESA)*. But we are disappointed that the new regulations have missed an opportunity to simplify the benefits system by passporting as many people onto the other benefits they are entitled to.

“Under the new regulations, people who have paid NI contributions or have been disabled since childhood will have to apply separately for the enhanced disability premium, and for each of the passported benefits (such as free school meals) that they may be entitled to and other ESA claimants will receive automatically. As a result, they could be up to £60 a week worse off than those on the same benefit who don’t have a contributions record - simply because they qualify for the benefit via a different route.”

Additional notes to editors:

*ESA replaces IB for new claimants from 27 October 2008.

Notes to editors on Citizens Advice

1. The Citizens Advice service is a network of independent charities that helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales; www.citizensadvice.org.uk
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
3. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at over 3,300 locations across England and Wales.
4. Advice and information  www.adviceguide.org.uk
5. Volunteer hotline 08451 264264 (local rate)
6. Citizens Advice Guide to your rights, second edition: January 2008 - over 600 pages of practical, independent CAB advice. An invaluable resource for any bookshelf - available from all good bookshops; price £11.99; ISBN: 9780141034089

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