Join HIV and Benefits Survey
posted: 16/02/2011
Lots of changes (including cuts) will be happening to the welfare benefits used by many people with HIV in the coming months and years. We need evidence now about how the changing nature of HIV affects people’s ability to do a paid job.
Would you please help our friends at NAT (National AIDS Trust) by answering their short (10 question) online survey about HIV-related symptoms of people living with HIV.
Please Take part in the quick survey, here
NAT are part of a national benefits working party trying to improve the Work Capability Assessment (which is used to help decide claims for Employment Support Allowance - the new benefit for sickness and disability).
The Work Capability Assessment fails many people with HIV – it doesn’t cope well where symptoms can come and go, like with HIV. Your answers will help us and NAT make it work better for people with HIV.
Be a big help for many
Your answers will help make a major difference to many people – everyone now receiving Incapacity Benefit will have to have their own Work Capability Assessment within the next 2-3 years. Many people are having to appeal bad decisions about this and 40% of the people who appeal refusals of these claims win.
The findings of this research will help NAT speak for the needs of people living with HIV who apply for illness and disability-related benefits. In particular, it will lead to recommendations to the second annual independent review of the Work Capability Assessment.
NAT will be on the working group which will recommend changes to the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to more accurately and fairly assess people with fluctuating conditions, such as HIV.
Anything you can add?
NAT welcome other evidence about the impact of fluctuating symptoms on the lives of people living with HIV, and particularly want to hear the experiences of people who have HIV-related symptoms who have gone through the Work Capability Assessment.
For more information about the survey or the working group, or to send case studies and other evidence, please contact Sarah Radcliffe
Please Take part in the quick survey, here
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