AQO 174/16-21


Mr Robbie Butler
Ulster Unionist Party
Lagan Valley


Tabled Date: 16/06/2016
Answered On Date: 28/06/2016
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities how claimants with poor mental health and wellbeing are supported through changes to the welfare system.


Answer:
I do understand and appreciate that claimants may be anxious and concerned about the impact of welfare changes on their existing benefits and my Department is fully committed to supporting claimants through these changes.
Enquiry lines are in place to provide advice and guidance to claimants and face to face assistance is also available at local Jobs & Benefits/Social Security Offices. In addition, a number of practical arrangements are in place to support vulnerable people impacted by the changes.
The Personal Independence Payment customer journey in Northern Ireland has additional contact points built in to safeguard existing DLA claimants, such as those with poor mental health, who fail to make a claim when advised to do so. This includes a phone call and also a home visit to encourage and assist the claimant with making the claim. Furthermore, claimants with mental health issues will not be automatically disallowed Personal Independence Payment if they fail to return their PIP2 Questionnaire form, but instead will be invited to attend a face to face consultation.
Arrangements are also in place for vulnerable claimants who are impacted by the Employment and Support Allowance changes to be introduced from 28 November whereby if they have not made contact with the Employment and Allowance Centre, a safeguard visit will be carried out.
As part of the Fresh Start Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive agreed £8m funding over 4 years to provide additional independent advice services to help and support customers through Welfare Reform.  My Department is currently finalising arrangements with regional advice organisations to have these additional services in place to include specialist support for the more vulnerable, including those with poor mental health and wellbeing. The organisations will be working with their own frontline advice centres and a wide range of partner organisations to ensure that appropriate help and support is provided to people across Northern Ireland.