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

28 March 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

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see 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. For online advice and information see New windowwww.adviceguide.org.uk
  3. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 7.1 million problems from April 2010 to March 2011. For full 2010/2011 service statistics see: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/press_statistics
  4. Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable. (nfpSynergy’s Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).
  5. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,300 service outlets across England and Wales.