HIV Patients Migrating From Incapacity Benefit to Employment & Support Allowance
THT urges HIV patients on incapacity benefit to contact helpline
Pink Paper, 4 April 2011
Terrence Higgins Trust is urging anyone with HIV who claims incapacity benefit to contact the THT national helpline if they are due to be assessed on their ability to work.
THTDirect will give initial benefits advice and, if people are in need of more in-depth support, refer them on to a local agency or the Citizen's Advice Bureau.
THT Direct is open from 10am to 10pm weekdays and from 12pm until 6pm at weekends.
Policy Director Lisa Power said of the assessments: "We don't want people living with HIV, who could be affected by these changes, to go through this alone. THT staff and volunteers are at the end of the line, with helpful guidance and support for anyone worried about these assessments, so please get in touch with us to help you through the process.”
Terrence Higgins Trust has also worked with National AIDS Trust (NAT) to put an advice briefing together, www.tht.org.uk/benefits, for people with HIV who are on benefits, applying for benefits or considering taking paid work which could reduce their entitlements to benefits.
It is designed to help people find out their entitlement and how best to manage applications, reviews and appeals.