Benefits Help Leaflets

posted: 05/05/2011

Many people with HIV are facing changes to benefits and to help with this THT and NAT have two updated factsheets with useful information and advice.

The first leaflet gives general advice and information about benefits when living with HIV – it is for people with HIV who are on benefits, applying for benefits or considering
taking paid work which could reduce or change the amount of benefit.

It is designed to help people find out their entitlement and how best to manage applications, reviews and appeals.

It offers online, written, interactive and phone options for getting help because different people may find different ways of getting the information helpful.
Benefits Advice for People with HIV

On Incapacity Benefit? 

The second leaflet is for people already on Incapacity Benefit who will all have their claims reviewed over the next year or so. People will be reviewed and reassessed under the rules for Employment Support Allowance which replaces Incapacity Benefit.

From Incapacity Benefit to Employment Support Allowance

It makes sense to be prepared and seek help.
 

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Benefit Problems?

posted: 08/04/2011

People living with HIV in NW England on incapacity benefit who are told they will be reassessed, should call the support team at George House Trust for help and advice. Everyone on Incapacity Benefit will be reasssessed and moved onto another benefit - usually Employment Support Allowance, sometimes Job Seekers Allowance. This change of benefits can often be a bumpy journey.

George House Trust advisers will be able to give initial advice and further support as needed.

Alternatively people may call THTDirect 0845 12 21 200 between 10am to 10pm weekdays and from 12pm until 6pm at weekends.

Easing the stress of change

Many people are finding these assessments very stressful and complicated. Unfortunately the evidence shows that many people with HIV are wrongly refused or put in the wrong ‘stream’ of benefits and told they are fit for work. With the right advice and help this can often be prevented, and if not support and help offered with reviews and appeals. The success rate is high when people get expert advice and assistance. Many people with HIV win these appeals.

NAT and THT have produced a useful benefits advice factsheet for people with HIV

THT have more useful advice for people with HIV who are on benefits, applying for benefits or considering taking paid work which could reduce their entitlements to benefits.

It helps people find out their benefit rights and how best to apply, and deal with reviews and appeals.
 

Guide to Safer Sex Advice

posted: 01/03/2011

The British HIV Association has produced draft guidance for STI clinics on offering Safer Sex Advice for the UK. They are inviting comments on their draft Guidelines.

The Safer Sex Advice guidelines recommend behaviour change interventions, what safer sex advice to give people at risk of STIs, and advising people living with HIV and people at greater risk of HIV infection.

The guidance is also useful for GPs and HIV care services when offering Safer Sex Advice.
 

Comment on Safer Sex Advice Guidance

Comments deadline is 31 May 2011 - comment through this webpage

Safer Sex Advice Guidance for the UK

Side Effects - a Better Quality of Life

posted: 22/12/2010

i-Base, the HIV treatment information organisation, have produced a new issue of their guide to HIV treatment, side effects and complications.

The guide should help you get better medical care and improved health. It should help you feel more in control of your treatment, and, most importantly, to get a better quality of life.
It has been written by people who are HIV-positive, who have used many of these treatments and had many of the side effects.
 

“Everyone worries about side effects before they start a new treatment.
I have changed treatment four times since 1996. This has always been related to side effects or because new research has shown I can change the dose.
Every time, my quality of life improved more than I expected, even switching from twice-daily to once-daily.
It always takes me a while to change, even when I know that other drugs could be better.
As the benefits from treatment are hopefully going to keep me alive for many years, I want to make sure I am on a combination that is effective, easy to take and tolerable–and that gives me the best quality-of-life.”

Read the guide online

Order a free printed copy

Download the pdf version 1.2 Mb
 

The guide has information on how to talk to your doctor about side effects. There are sections on each of the major side effects and medical and alternative treatments are included.
 

What's new?

This is the fifth edition of the guide HIV and your quality of life:  a guide to side effects and other complications, issued this December.
 

• It has been updated to include side effects of the latest drugs.
• There is less information on side effects of drugs that are now rarely used in the printed book, but all the details are still online. T-20, lactic acidosis, indinavir, d4T and abacavir hypersensitivity reactions are online, not in print.
• More information on long-term complications. These make a big difference to the best quality of life. For example, there are sections on bone and heart problems.
• There’s a new section on HIV and ageing, because this an essential part of living well with HIV.
• The guide includes comprehensive references in the online version. There are hyperlinks to over 250 documents. These include: the product information for each drug; UK, European and US treatment and management guidelines; and related studies that focus on safety and tolerability of drugs. Whenever possible we selected references that provide free full text access online.

Feedback and comments

i-Base welcome feedback and comments and you can tell them what you think in their online survey.
 

HIV and Immigration Conference

posted: 28/10/2010

George House Trust invites professionals to our 26 November conference on Working with HIV positive people subject to immigration controls. This is on Friday 26th November 9.30am - 4.30pm at George House Trust, Manchester.
 

The frequent changes to asylum legislation and policy make it difficult to keep on top of the issues and offer your clients the best advice or most effective practice.
 

Living with HIV adds a further layer of complexity to immigration and asylum applications and appeals. Those living inside the immigration and asylum system are confronted with issues such as poor housing, poverty, alienation and fear.
 

Creative Solutions

The aim of this day is to

• demystify terminology and systems 
• to equip workers with a working understanding of the systems and legislation
• share approaches that effectively support this client group
• suggest creative solutions for professionals to adopt.
   

Speakers include:

• Ruth Heatley, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit - The Asylum Process; Application and Support Systems
• Daniel Murphy – George House Trust Service and Development Manager - HIV and Immigration, including Migrants' Rights to HIV Treatment
• Boaz Trust - Destitution Realities and Support
• Refugee Action - Leave to Remain and Legacy. Life after Asylum

Conference Programme

Cost and Bookings

£40 for Voluntary Sector agencies, £60 for Statutory Sector. If you would like to come but are unable to pay please contact us

To book a place on this course please contact Nathan Perry 0161 274 4499

For more information or specific access / disability requirements contact Daniel Murphy 0161 274 4499
We are 5 -10 minutes walk from Manchester Piccadilly station Map