Personalised support for people on out-of-work benefits expanded

Thousands more people on out-of-work benefits will soon be able to receive personalised, one-to-one support.

Support Conversations will be delivered by specialists and cover topics ranging from employment and skills to housing, debt and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

The government is rolling out Support Conversations to a further 27 Jobcentres, so they’ll soon be available at 33 sites.

Who is eligible for Support Conversations?

Ministers believe the expansion will help up to 40,000 disabled people and those with health conditions who are claiming out-of-work benefits.

They’re open to anyone waiting for a work capability assessment and those assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA).

“Too many disabled people and people with health conditions face barriers that stop them from accessing the support and opportunities they deserve,” said employment minister Dame Diana Johnson.

“Getting more people into good work is central to our plan for change and Support Conversations will help us do exactly this.”

People on benefits can ‘feel heard’

Specialists who deliver Support Conversations believe they offer a great opportunity to people currently relying on out-of-work benefits.

“Every interaction is an opportunity to make someone feel heard, safe and supported,” said Saimha, a healthcare professional in Preston.

“Support Conversations [are] about providing compassionate, informed, holistic, person-centred support to disabled people and those with health conditions.”

Neil, a disability employment adviser in Bournemouth, added that people face a “whole range of challenges” that need to be overcome.

“Talking through those challenges is an important first step,” he said.

“Support Conversations confirm that the most valuable resource we have is the time that we spend with our claimants.”

Disabled people can work without fear of losing benefits

Another key step the government has taken to encourage people back into work is to give them more of an incentive to find employment.

According to the Department for Work and Pensions, more than one in three disabled people and those with health conditions (37%) want to work, but are held back by the fear of having their benefits stopped.

So the law has changed to remove this obstacle, which means disabled people who claim benefits can now try work without having to worry about losing the support they’re getting.

Under the new system, getting a job won’t automatically trigger benefit reassessment if you’re on:

• new-style employment and support allowance
• personal independence payment
• universal credit health element

In addition, people who want to volunteer will be able to do so without fear of having their benefits looked at.