I talk like I'm sick - very quietly. The negative impact on families, especially children, of a parent under this sort of stress is considerable. Staff indicate that there is no consistent manual concerning the entitlements of beneficiaries although they do have training workshops and are regularly updated by email. This discretionary component is of concern. I had been told that I had to have a meeting with my . . .
Beneficiaries report many inconsistencies and entitlements which are discovered too late.
This situation is not helped by the complexity of benefit rules and entitlements. The administration of the Accommodation Supplement through the social security system not only stigmatises the assistance but also makes it part of a system which monitors and gatekeeps. Refundable benefits are the main source of additional assistance as non refundable assistance is rarely given now as a result of the drastic narrowing of eligibility criteria. The installments for repayment of these loans seem to beneficiaries to be completely arbitrary and are charged out on each item rather than assessing what might be affordable. Beneficiaries also report that these amounts can be changed at any time.