Problems with ESA administration causing hardship for many

A report released today by Citizens Advice in Northern Ireland highlights the problems many clients of CAB experience with the administration of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

ESA is a benefit paid to people who are too sick or disabled to work and who meet certain conditions.  It replaced Incapacity Benefit for new claimants from October 2008. To read more click here...

To download a copy of the full report click here... To download a copy of the ESA Fact Sheet click here...

Citizens Advice welcomes Minister Attwood's stance on wefare reform

Citizens Advice welcomes the pledge given yesterday by Social Development Minister Alex Attwood on addressing the circumstances in Northern Ireland in relation to welfare reform.  To read more click here...

Proposals on benefit reform need to protect the most vulnerable

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a leading think-tank, issued a report today entitled “Breakthrough Northern Ireland” which paints a grim picture of social breakdown in Northern Ireland, marked by high levels of worklessness, family breakdown, mental illness and addiction.  To read more click here...

To read associated Press Release click here... 

ESA Fact Sheet

Citizens Advice has published a fact sheet entitled "ESA - Employment Support Allowance" . To read and download a copy of this fact sheet click here.