Charities: New rules 'could help'

Disabled people want better access to work

While opposition politicians have reacted angrily to the new disability benefit rules and the way they have been introduced, some charities believe the changes may help disabled people.

New claimants in the pilot schemes will now be expected to meet an employment adviser.

Sick and disabled people who continue to make claims must attend "work focused interviews" on a regular basis or their benefits will be stopped.

Compulsory interviews will heighten the fears of disabled people

Mike Hurdiss, Scope

A number of charities believe interviews will help people to get work, but they are concerned about the compulsory element of attending them.

The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) said the interviews are not necessarily a problem.

The RNIB's Joe Korner said: "Regular interviews about the possibility of working can be a good thing.

"The biggest problem is the compulsory nature because a lot of disabled people feel let down by benefits.

"It feels like a bit of a threat and there is disquiet among disabled people, who are already living below the poverty line."

Work focused interviews are not a new concept, according to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID).

Workplace access

The charity approves of this approach, but believes the government must also address the issue of improving access to work for disabled people.

The RNID's Claire Ainsley said: "We are not opposed to the idea of work focused interviews, it might help people who have been out of work to re-enter the labour market.

"But the government has got to make work accessible to people who are disabled."

Scope, the charity which represents people with cerebral palsy, is another organisation which feels uncomfortable with the compulsory element of work focused interviews.

Disabled deserve a better service, say charities

"Compulsory interviews will heighten the fears of disabled people," said Mike Hurdiss, Scope's Benefits Policy Officer.

The charity believes the government needs to ensure its staff have the training and backup to give disabled people access to all the relevant information on the wide range of benefits available.

Mr Hurdiss said: "The government side of the bargain has got to be to provide a better quality service and make sure disabled people are getting everything they are entitled to.

"I am concerned about how the compulsory element could lead to a loss of benefit for those with no prospect of work.

"There needs to be a focus on what people are entitled to. It could be someone needs more or different allowances if they can't work."