Your voice

Yo u r r i g h t s

1110

98

71213

14 151623

2221

20 192425

2627

28Finish 3433

3231

30

Discriminated against

due to health

condition / disability

Find work but it’s

zero hours contract /

casual / temporary /

long hours /

low pay

Made ill

rejectio

applica

Can’t afford to pay

rent - become

homeless

Unemployment and

Poverty bring about

relationship

breakdown

Low benefits mean

debt mounts up

Skills improved

because of good

quality training

Received

support

with hea

conditi

Good jobs

created in

the area

Sustainable full

time job with

good pay and job

satisfaction

Receive high

quality

careers

advice and

put in touch

with

relevant

employers

Joined community

group – increased

contacts and

received training

Annual Report 2011Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centres

2

What we provide We provide welfare rightsadvice and representationon all aspects of WelfareBenefits for anyone whoneeds it.

Each year we deal with around9,000 enquiries, represent around300 people at tribunals andrecover well over £2.3 million inone off payments and increasedweekly benefits for the people ofDerbyshire. The money we gainfor people is spent in the localeconomy helping to preserve jobs

and aiding regeneration.

The continuing and deepeningrecession has impacted on theDUWCs in a number of ways. Theunnecessary and vindictiveausterity measures aimed atworkers and those alreadyexperiencing poverty is placingextra demands on our services. Atthe same time the same austeritycuts are squeezing the fundingstreams on which the Centreshave become ever more reliant.Worse still the impact of the cutsfar from helping us out of thecrisis will most definitely bringmore problems to our doors withlower benefits and peopleentering insecure jobs that fail tolift people out of poverty. TheDUWCs have had to changeopening times in order to adjustto the lack of Derbyshire CountyCouncil funding.

The massive increase in thenumber of tribunals where we areproviding representation has

meant that we have had to furtherlimit face-to-face drop in hours inorder to give time for our workersto prepare for the appeals.

What we stand for…l Provision of a voice for

unemployed, underemployedand unwaged workers.

l Provision of informationconcerning the issues facingpeople on benefits and credits.

l Campaigning on issuesaffecting unemployed peopleand related issues for thewhole community.

l Provision of top quality, freeadvice and representation onall aspects of welfare benefits.

l Support for Trade Unions andother bodies in their efforts tosave or create jobs.

l Research and dissemination ofinformation on issues affectingemployment and benefitsissues.

ContentsWho are we? 2

The Chairman writesGraham Baxter 3

Your Voice Your Rights! 4-7

Fundraising 8

Statistics 9

Chesterfield 10

N.E. Derbyshire 11

Amber Valley 11

Bolsover 12

Case Studies 13-14

Our Representation 15

Management Committee/ Where to get advice? 16

Who are we?Established in April 1983, the Derbyshire UnemployedWorkers’ Centres are a part of a much larger network ofTUC Unemployed Workers’ Centres. We aim to build unitybetween employed and unemployed workers, andcampaign for full employment with quality training andjobs and a benefits system that allows people to live inhealth and in dignity.

Your voice

Yo u r r i g h t s

Some of our fantastic volunteers

3

Barry Johnson, our vicechair, is 80 years old inNovember. Barry is one ofthe original founders of theDerbyshire UnemployedWorkers’ Centres workingwith Bill Mitchell, BasBarker, Bill Flanagan andothers to bring about theorganisation of theunemployed in Chesterfieldand subsequentlythroughout NorthDerbyshire.

However, Barry was against thesetting up of the Centres as aNational initiative arguing for anorganisation of the unemployed bythe unemployed. Barry feared thatthe Centres would be stifled in theircampaigning by the constraints thatwould be placed upon the Centres.

The TUC pressed ahead with thesetting up of the Centres, so ratherthan licking his wounds Barry setabout the task of helping makethem a success. He could also helpensure that the organisation stuck toits objectives of providing a vehiclefor unemployed workers to fight for

full employment and benefitsallowing dignity if work could not beprovided.

Barry has been a consistent supportto the DUWCs through the 28 yearsof their existence involving himself incampaigning activities, locally,regionally and nationally. Hisadvice at Management Committeemeetings is always considered andvalued. His commitment isunwavering and despite recenthealth problems continues to give allhe can to the cause.

It is typical of Barry that he wantedhis 80th birthday to be marked with

a fundraising event for the DUWCs– and that is what we are going todo following the AGM on FridayNovember 25th.

An evening of entertainment isplanned with the objective ofcelebrating the achievements of theCentres despite the cruel 100% cutin funding from the Tory CountyCouncil. As well as enjoying theoccasion Barry hopes to turn thatsupport into practical and financialhelp for the Centres.

Thanks Barry, Happy 80th Birthdayand long may your work for uscontinue.

Graham Baxter

Graham Baxter, Leader of North EastDerbyshire District Council

The Co-ordinator writes...The Tory controlled County Councildismissed over 20 years of work for thepeople of Derbyshire when they cruellyimposed a 100% cut on the funding ofthe Centres.

In a cynical fashion they emailed me on December23rd 2010 to tell us the decision would be takenon January 3rd 2011, leaving us little time toorganise to reverse the decision. The monies savedfrom our cut was to be given to South and MidDerbyshire to purchase legal advice. The Toriesargued that too much money was being spent inthe North East of the County on Advice Services.

However, we all know that this was an act ofpolitical malice aimed at an organisation with itsroots in the Trade Union Movement. Support fromLabour and Liberal Democrat Councillors was notenough to change the decision and the

organisation has suffered as a consequence withrising demand and falling resources.

I would like to thank all our supporters who haverallied to help us through these hard times. If wedidn’t know before we certainly know now who ourfriends are. We will not be distracted from ourcampaigning work to highlight the need for fullemployment and dignity for those who cannotwork. Colin Hampton

Colin Hampton (far right) campaigning against legal aidreform. (With kind permission from the Derbyshire Times)

The Chairman writes...

Barry Johnson

4

The DUWCs have represented297 people between October2010 and the end of September2011 at Appeals Tribunals forEmployment and SupportAllowance (ESA) and DisabilityLiving Allowance (DLA). For ESAwe have had an 80% success ratefor DLA we have had a 60%success rate. Nationally under40% of appeals succeed. Thenational figure includes those whoare not represented that is why it

is much lower. If anyone doubtedthe value of organisations such asDUWCs then these statistics aloneshow our worth to the hardest hitin our community.

The DUWCs campaign wasfeatured in the TUCs filmscreened in Hyde Park for the‘March for the Alternative’ inMarch 2011 attended by half amillion people. Reports in theGuardian, Mirror, Sunday Mirrorand Le Monde have featured

cases highlighted by the DUWCs.BBC Politics show and ChannelFour have given coverage tosome of our worst cases ofinjustice, one example beingoverturned without going to anAppeal on the strength of thepublicity gained.

We have staged demonstrationsin Chesterfield and Derby tohighlight the plight of peoplefacing the Work CapabilityAssessment, many receiving 0points (15 are needed to claimESA). Those refused ESA will havelittle chance of finding work in arecession with employers free tochoose people who are fully fitand with appropriate employmentbecoming scarce. Claimants losea minimum of £25 and arefurther forced into poverty.

Centres at forefront of campaign againstonslaught on the sick and the disabled

ESA Claimants outside Chesterfield Jobcentre(With kind permission from the Derbyshire Times)

Your Voice Your Rights!

The Government is acting like a disreputable insurancecompany with the Department of Works and Pensionsturning down a huge amount of claims for benefits andthen waiting to see who has the will and the support toappeal the decision. They know that hundreds ofthousands will be bullied into submission, either toounwell or lacking the representation and expertise tofight back.

5

Volunteer Justine Bark has shot tointernational fame having launched herblog ‘Justine - Diary of a Jobseeker’earlier in the year.

As a result of discussion arising from EuropeanAnti Poverty Network (EAPN) meetings, Co-ordinator Colin Hampton asked Justine if shewas prepared to put her thoughts and activities outin the blogosphere. The idea was to try to get anunemployed person in many countries acrossEurope to keep a diary of their experiences lookingfor work in the recession. Justine, who has been avolunteer at the Centre for two years, said shewould give it a try and explored the mechanics ofsetting up a blog. With our contacts in EAPN andChurch Action Against Poverty her on-line diary

quickly picked up areadership ofthousands from allover the world. Justinehas been braveenough to share herproblems andanxieties of trying tomake ends meet andsearch for work indifficult times. Justinehas given insight intothe difficulties ofdealing with theagencies, public andprivate, whenclaiming benefits andlooking for a job.

Her endeavours and willingness to have a gohave had some rewards. Justine has been invitedto address a big conference in Brussels entitled‘Getting out of the Crisis Together’ organised bythe EAPN, where she read out extracts from herblog to a packed auditorium of Europeandelegation and EU policy makers.

If you want to read Justine’s blog go towww.justine-diaryofajobseeker.blogspot.com/

‘Justine - Diary of a Jobseeker’

Justine Bark

Justice at the Crisis Conference

DUWCs have alwaysnetworked with similarorganisations and anti-poverty groups. One of theadvantages is the sharingand developing of ideas.

DUWCs co-ordinator ColinHampton whilst attending theEuropean Anti-Poverty NetworksAGM saw a mural used as abackdrop for the conferencewhich had been created by aMigrants group in London. It wasbased on a game of snakes andladders and designed to show the

difficulties encountered whentrying to escape frompoverty – the laddersclarifying what helps andthe many snakes thatprevent the objective ofobtaining a full time jobwith good pay and jobsatisfaction.

With the help of the BolsoverFinancial Inclusion Project theDUWCs are producing a 6m x 6mversion of the game which will beplayed in Market Squares and atconferences in the coming year.The game, accompanied by an

exhibitionwill be used to dispel themyth that escaping poverty is easy.It will hopefully focus the minds ofpoliticians and the public as towhich policies help and hinderthose caught in the poverty trap.

Climbing out of poverty

6

Transition and Training

The aim of the Transition Fundmoney is to help DerbyshireUnemployed Workers’ Centresadapt and cope with the loss offunding. My role is to help bridgethat gap with Benefit training fornew and existing volunteers andstaff. My first goal was to recruitas many new volunteers aspossible and then to develop theirskills and knowledge so they couldbecome advisers. Their servicesare needed to help with the sharpincrease in demand for help withEmployment and SupportAllowance claims, help people

plan for the upcoming majorchanges in benefits in 2013 andsupport people in maximising theirbenefit entitlement.

9 new volunteers started thetraining programme in July, by thetime of writing this article thatnumber had increased to thecurrent 13 volunteers involved.

The main programme is coveringall elements of the benefits systemand the skills needed to helppeople receive their legalentitlement. The main programmeis being supplemented by specificcourses to help both the new and

existing volunteers and staff toremain up to date and improvetheir knowledge base. One ofthese courses looked at the new‘Work Programme’ which waslaunched earlier this year andhow it affects individuals onJobseeker’s Allowance,Employment Support Allowanceand Income Support.

By the end of November I willhave lead courses on 13 differentsubjects and organised 2 otherskill based courses to enable thevolunteers to support peopleaccess the help they need. Thereis another 6 planned days oftraining as well as on the on-going and increasing one to onesupport to help the new volunteersreach the position of adviser.

Your Voice Your Rights!

Thanks to the Transition Fund, I started on the 1st Junewith the aim of providing a complete targeted trainingprogramme on the Benefit system by the end of thisBenefit year (March 2012).

75 years ago 200 unemployedmen from Jarrow, on the banks ofthe Tyne, marched from the northeast to London. They demandedjobs and an end to their povertyconditions. In October 2011, agroup of young people set out onthe same journey with a series ofdemands for jobs, support ineducation and an end to youthservice cuts and closures. With 1million young people out of work,the issue of youth unemployment is

at the top of the agenda of theDerbyshire Unemployed Workers’Centres. So it was with greatenthusiasm that we welcomed theYouth March for Jobs intoDerbyshire on Thursday October13th. The young people werejoined by DUWCs supporters andNatascha Engel MP on theYorkshire border and marched in

to Eckington Market Street for ashort meeting addressed by CllrAnne Western. The March thenwent on to New & Old Whittingtonbefore receiving a great welcomeboth by students outsideChesterfield College and in NewSquare. The marchers wereaddressed by Toby Perkins MP andthen delivered their own message

YouthMarchfor Jobs!

Youth March for Jobs

7

The withdrawal of our annual grantby Derbyshire County Council in Aprilcould have been disastrous for thecontinuing existence of DUWCs. Butit is testament to the esteem that thepeople of Derbyshire have for ourwork that we have survived. Therehas been an impact on the servicethat we are able to offer – theChesterfield and Shirebrook officeshave had to close on Fridaymornings. A combination of a dropin funds and an increase in tribunalwork left us with no choice. But givenwe have lost £33,000 this could bemuch worse.

The situation isn’t any worse becausethe community has rallied round witha splendid show of support. Thecolumn listing our official supporterson page 8 shows only half the picture.We have been showered withdonations from those who have usedour service and cannot consider thepossibility of losing DUWCs. Fromthe anonymous £10 and £20 notesleft in our collection boxes to theregular contributions from establishedfriends we have been touched by thesupport shown by so many people.We would like to say a big thank youto all concerned – and to those whofought so hard to stop the CountyCouncil cut.

Sarah Walters & Colin Hampton

Fundraising

Do you want to help?Here are three easy ways to support DUWCs:l Sign up to a regular contribution through bankers standing order or

check off. All you need to do is fill in the form and return it to us, we’ll dothe rest.

l If you purchase goods over the internet, please visit our “Buy At” page(www.buy.at/DUWC). If you register and go through this page beforeshopping at major retailers such eBay or Amazon we get commission onyour purchases. This is at no extra cost to the purchaser – all you need todo is make a few extra clicks.

l Save your used printer ink cartridges and collect those belonging tofriends and family. Pass them onto us for recycling and we receive asmall payment.

So far 22 people have been able toaccess some or all of the trainingoffered.

I hope in the near future the newvolunteers will be in the positionthat they can start acting asrepresentatives at their first appeal.Their commitment to theprogramme and to help peoplegain their benefit entitlement is verystrong.

I would like to thank Marie H,Marie R, Rebecca, Philip, Helen,Beryl, Jane, Shirley, Susan, Don,Michelle, Jade, Angela, Karen, andAdam for making this trainingprogramme so exciting foreveryone. I would also like to thankeveryone else for being so warmand welcoming to me, as well ashelping in getting everything inplace so quickly.

Barbara KnightTransition Support Worker

to the crowd of supporters that hadgathered.

Friday saw the young people leaveChesterfield Job Centre, sent off bythe local PCS union branch and afterreceiving refreshments at ArkwrightCommunity Centre went up intoBolsover Market Place to bewelcomed by Dennis Skinner MP.The BBC’s One Show then filmedinterviews with marchers on the wayto Shirebrook where they weregreeted by a large crowd in theMarket Place. After being fed at theMiners’ Welfare they left Derbyshireon their long journey to London.

Youth unemployment levels are anational scandal. The cost of havingyoung people on the dole will be feltby generations to come. The DUWCwill continue to press for greaterurgency in eradicating youthunemployment and for bettersupport for those unable to work.

8

Grants:l Bolsover District Council

Chesterfield Borough Council

l North East Derbyshire DistrictCouncil

l Coalfields Regeneration Trust

l Working NeighbourhoodsFund (BDC & CBC)

l Transition Fund

l Derbyshire CommunityFoundation

l Salcare Heanor

Parish and TownCouncils:l Alfreton

l Ault Hucknall

l Brimington

l Clay Cross

l Clowne

l Dronfield

l Eckington

l Grassmoor Hasland & Winsick

l North Wingfield

l Pinxton

l Pleasley

l Scarcliffe

l Shirebrook

l Somercotes

l Unstone

l Warsop

TradeUnions:l PCS Derbyshire

l PCS Nottingham DWP

l N E Derbyshire Unison

l Unite Derby Central

l Unite East Midlands

l Erewash Trades Council

l North East Derbyshire LabourParty

l NE Derbyshire Labour Group

l Chesterfield Labour Group

l Derbyshire County CouncilLabour Group

l Bolsover Labour Group

Corporate:l Mansfield Building Society

l Midlands Co-operative

l Santander

l TESCO

l Wilkinsons

Various anonymouscharitable trustsl County Councillors through

the Community LeadershipProgramme:

l Dave Allen (Birdholme)

l Sharon Blank (Spire)

l Walter Burrows (Brimington)

l David Chapman (Sutton)

l Alan Charles (Killamarsh)

l Kevin Gillott (North Wingfield & Tupton)

l Ken Stevenson (Bolsover NW,Elmton & Whitwell)

l Marian Stockdale (Shirebrook & Pleasley)

l David Stone (Staveley N & Whittington)

l Anne Western (Barlborough & Clowne)

l John Williams (Staveley South)

Fundraising

Sarah Walters receives a cheque from Mansfield Building Society

Our Supporters

Sarah Walters & Keith O’Neill fundraising

9

0 1000 1500 2000

Signposting 430

Appeal 1625

Other 632

Redundancy 49

Child Benefit 134Pension (inc Credit) 716

Bereavement 64

Maternity 60

CTC/WTC 844DLA/AA/CA 2534

IIDB 715

ESA/SSP/Incap 2371Social Fund 399

JSA 647Income Support 398

Council Tax/Housing Benefit 997

2500500

(excluding on site redundancy briefings)

0 500 1000 250020001500

Caller

Telephone

Home vists

Clowne

Pinxton

Bolsover

Shirebrook

Creswell

Alfreton

Staveley

Somercotes

South Normanton

North Wingfield

Whitwell

Carr Vale

Heanor

Grassmoor

Chesterfield

Eckington

Brimington

Clay Cross

109

170

1994

1622

1666195

35218

5

819104

9311153

1467

5973

609

38101

646

106121

724

65121

127111

12514

53392419

N.E. Derbyshire 1116

Chesterfield 3483Bolsover 2925

Amber Valley 861Other 305

VENUE CALLER TOTALS 2010/2011

ENQUIRY TOTALS 2010/2011

JSA Jobseekers AllowanceSSP/Incap Statutory Sick PayIIDB Industrial Injuries Disablement

Benefit SchemeDLA Disability Living AllowanceAA Attendance AllowanceCA Carer’s AllowanceWTC Working Tax CreditCTC Child Tax Allowance

ORIGIN OF ENQUIRIES

HOURS PER WEEK OPENChesterfield 29 Shirebrook 121/2

Alfreton, Staveley 12Heanor 4Clay Cross, Brimington 3

Clowne, Pinxton, Bolsover, Creswell, Somercotes, South Normanton, North Wingfield, Whitwell, Carr Vale 21/2

Grassmoor, Eckington 2

Callers 7,341Telephone enquiries/email 1,065Home Visits 54These figures do not include appeal cases

Statistics

Our Saltergate headquarterscontinues to provide us withchallenges with regards to thecramped conditions. Thosewaiting for advice are sharing alimited area. Everyone has beenvery accepting of ourpredicament. New volunteershave coped well with the difficult

working conditions. A solution hasappeared on the horizon with theChesterfield Borough Councillooking to find us suitableaccommodation alongside theChesterfield Law Centre andChesterfield Citizens AdviceBureau. We already work veryclosely with these twoorganisations and so we lookforward to a better future for ourmany Chesterfield callers. The

complete withdrawal of fundingby Derbyshire County Council ledto the decision to close theChesterfield Office on Fridays.However despite this closure of amorning session venue callers are

10

Around the area

Chesterfield

Mr S (aged 30s) lives with his elderly parents andhas mild learning difficulties. He claims

Jobseekers Allowance (income based) but he hasnever been employment except for a couple of shortseasonal work contracts. In July 2009 he received aletter telling him that he had been overpaid JSA byaround £7000 but with no explanation. He broughtthe decision letter to DUWC’s Staveley outreach andwe made enquiries to find out the reasons for thesupposed overpayment. The DWP had undertaken a“compliance” check on his savings and decided thathe was no longer entitled to JSA because they haddecided that his capital was above the limit and hadnot been fully declared. We helped Mr S to appealthe decision and provided further information abouthis various accounts to support his appeal. TheDWP then reconsidered their decision, agreed thatMr S’s qualifying capital did not actually exceed thecapital limit and reduced his overpayment toaround £2500. While making their reconsideration(which took around 10 months to finalise) Mr Sreceived no JSA payments despite continuing to signon at the Jobcentre every 2 weeks. He lived off hissavings and we wrote several letters on his behalf tothe DWP to try to get his JSA payments reinstatedand also involved the MPs office in makingrepresentations and complaints on his behalf. HisJSA was finally reinstated in October 2010 but withno backdating to 2008. We therefore appealed thelack of backdated benefit and again we helped MrS to provide all the necessary evidence about his

savings. He struggled to understand exactly whatinformation the DWP required to assess his claimand it took several months to collect all of theinformation. In May 2011, the DWP have finallyagreed that Mr S is now owed over £4000 inbackdated JSA that was never paid to him over an18 month period. We have seen Mr S around 40times at our Staveley outreach over a 2 year periodand believe that without our help he would havegiven up on claiming his entitlement to JSA. He isnow getting JSA paid at around £60 per week.

Mr T (aged 60s) suffers from breathing difficulties(COPD), arthritis, diabetes and chronic depressionsince the death of his wife. On the advice of ahousing support worker, he made a claim forDisability Living Allowance but was turned down. Hestruggled to find an advice agency that would dealwith him face to face because he does not cope wellwith phone calls. He called into our Staveleyoutreach when passing one day and was verypleased to find out that we could help him with hisappeal for DLA. We wrote to his GP to obtainmedical evidence in support of his claim and whichwe submitted on his behalf. A DUWC representativewent with him to his Tribunal hearing where he wasawarded High Rate Mobility and Low Rate Care,backdated over 18 months. He now gets a weeklyequivalent DLA payment of £70.95 and is due toreceive a lump sum of backdated benefits of over£5000. He intends to buy a good quality mobilityscooter.

‘To All the Wonderful Staffat DUWC your help wasvery much appreciated inhelping me fill out all therelevant forms.’ Ms M Brimington

11

North East Derbyshire Districtconstituents access our services atvenues all over North Derbyshire.Our outreach offices coverGrassmoor, N Wingfield,Eckington and Clay Cross, butChesterfield, Staveley and evenAlfreton give support to thosetravelling to access advice andrepresentation. Jo Moran, TimWilkinson, Katrina Hudson, JohnBradley and Angela Manfredihave all played a significant partin the development of services inNorth East Derbyshire. Superbsupport from Parish Councils hashelped enhance the servicesprovided with many claimantshaving support from the Centresat Appeals Tribunals.

North EastDerbyshire

‘I really would like to thankyou so much for all yoursupport with my appeal, Iwould have given up longago without your help as Ifound it so daunting.’

Ms D Eckington

‘Many thanks for youradvice and support leadingto a successful appeal atChesterfield Tribunal.’

Mr.S N Wingfield ‘I am writing to thank youfor all the help you gaveme with my appeal forincapacity benefit with allyour help I managed to winmy appeal for which I amvery grateful.’

Mrs .H. Cutthorpe.

Mr and Mrs J from Eckington approached DUWC for help to seeka review of Mrs J’s DLA award. Following a serious operation on

her spine, her mobility was very limited and her care needs hadincreased considerably and she was expected to take a significant timeto recover. DUWC helped her to complete a DLA review form and shewas subsequently awarded the High Rate Care and High Rate MobilityComponents of DLA for an 18 month period (giving rise to a weeklyDLA payment of £121.25 to Mrs J).

The local Jobcentre told them that this DLA award would enable thehousehold to be paid a higher rate of Income Support but theJobcentre were unable to provide any help to sort this out. Mr and MrsJ therefore approached DUWC again and we advised them of theiroptions. We helped Mr J to make an underlying claim as Mrs J’s carerand we helped them to notify Income Support of the relevant changes.When Income Support sent a series of conflicting letters, we advisedthem of the correct option.

Subsequently Mr and Mrs J’s weekly Income Support paymentsincreased by £143.35 and a lump sum of arrears of Income Supportof around £800 was paid.

only slightly down with just under2500 coming to the buildingapart from telephone enquiriesand Chesterfield home visits.John Bradley has now given wayto Tim Wilkinson who is theregular adviser at our Brimingtonsessions. The Community Centrevenue continues to be well usedand has thrown up someinteresting case studies.

Our Staveley Advice sessionshave benefited from ChesterfieldBorough Council WorkingNeighbourhoods Funding as wellas Coalfield Regeneration Trustsupport. We continue to workalongside Chesterfield LawCentre and Chesterfield CAB.Kathy Farr has helped mentormany volunteers at our StaveleyLearning Matters Office. This yearwe have said goodbye to HeatherRiggott, Jade Surah and DeniseHawksworth, who have all foundpaid work. Nicola McManuscontinues to provide supportalongside the intake of newvolunteers. Angela Webster, IanRutledge and Nico Ferreraprovide help on reception.

All at the Centres are worriedwhat will happen after the end ofMarch 2012 when the CRT andWNF funding comes to an end.Over 1000 enquiries have beendealt with by our service atStaveley and so there can be nodoubt over the value of ourpresence. However without thisfunding we will be unable tocontinue this level of service.Many people will not access theCentre’s advice if the service iswithdrawn.

‘Thank you so much with myappeal for my ESA claimtribunal would not havewon it without you.’

Ms C.D. Boythorpe

12

Two thousand and eleven just atypical year of advice provisionwithin the Bolsover District. Noton your life!

From Pinxton to Creswell, by theend of the year most communitieswill have felt the full impact ofbenefit cuts and changes, whichthreaten to reduce livingstandards for many of the poorestin our area. The woman fromCreswell who became pregnantwith her second child in March,found to her dismay that theHealth in Pregnancy Grant (worth

Glyn Power and Cindy Williams

BolsoverDistrict

Around the area

The support from Alfreton TownCouncil, Somercotes ParishCouncil, Salcare and the

Coalfields Regeneration Trust hasensured that we have been able tomaintain and develop our servicein Amber Valley. The Law Centreand Mid Derbyshire CAB haveworked with us in our AlfretonOffice providing a service givingdebt and employment law adviceas well as benefits advice andrepresentation. John Bradley hasbeen helped by Jethro Waldren,who has now left to go touniversity, as well as support fromKatrina Hudson and Glynn Powerworking with Bolsover Claimants.

‘Just writing to you insupport of what you’recampaigning for. I’ve hadhelp from your office inAlfreton for appealing myESA claim. Keep up thegood work you do!‘

Mr.J. Alfreton

Acouple came into the Alfretonoffice and asked for help with

completing some Working TaxCredit forms. During the interviewit emerged that the husband wassuffering from Spondalosis of theSpine and Rheumatoid Arthritisand that the couple had financialdifficulties. Our adviser sent for aDisability Living Allowance formand helped the husband tocomplete this. As a result he wasawarded this benefit at the lowerrate of care – however as hismobility was very poor our adviserappealed this decision afterobtaining further evidence fromthe man’s doctor.

The decision was revised by theDWP and he was awarded themiddle rate of care and the highrate of mobility. He is now£100.70 per week better off andhas received a back payment of£2,618.

A gentleman who suffers fromParkinson’s Disease came into theAlfreton office, as his Employment& Support Allowance (ESA) hadbeen stopped. We put in anappeal for him and went on torepresent him at tribunal, wherehis case was successful. Becauseit had taken so long to get to thetribunal stage he was entitled tobackdated payments of £4,104.His medical condition alsoprompted us to put in a claim forDisability Living Allowance (DLA)and he was awarded this at a rateof £49.30 per week. His wifecould then claim Carer’sAllowance at £55.55 per week.When he first came into our office,this man was in the depths ofdespair, but now he has a muchmore worry-free existence.

Amber Valley

‘I can’t thank you enough forall your help and support butmost of all for believing inme. It’s been a dreadful 18months but now I can lookforward to living againinstead of just existing.‘

Mrs M. Somercotes

13

£190.00 of income to all women)had been abolished in January.Quickly followed in April, by thescrapping of the Baby Element inchild tax credits (families with achild under one lose £10.50 perweek) and as if to add insult toinjury the Sure Start MaternityGrant she was able to claim forher first child, will not beavailable for her second(restricted to the first child onlyfrom April 2011) The impact ofthe latter is that babies inneighbourhoods with complexfinancial and social problems willnow be denied £500.00, of muchneeded support. All such cutssignificantly affect families andchildren, despite the Governmentschild poverty pledges.Furthermore, the 6 changes to

both working and child tax creditswhich came into force in April2011, without much publicity; arecuts aimed specifically at workingfamilies which does not fit wellwith the Governments stated aim:making work pay.

Many people throughout theBolsover District claiming sicknessand disability benefits have visitedour advice venues and sharedwith us their frustrations andfears, as they are brandedscroungers or malingerers, by thepress and government ministers.Those previously in receiptincapacity benefit, severedisablement allowance andincome support on the basis ofbeing unfit for work are currentlybeing subjected to a process ofmigration to Employment and

Support Allowance, and withrecent changes to the WorkCapability Assessment a muchstricter medical assessment is nowin place; guaranteeing that manymore claimants will be found fitfor work. The Bolsover mansuffering from severe mentalhealth and learning difficulties,and in receipt of highest carecomponent within Disability LivingAllowance, will face the WCA forthe first time; having previouslybeen exempt from the oldPersonal Capability Assessmentwithin Incapacity Benefit, he isunable to cope with new processand has had to re-engage withlocal mental health services.Many Disability Living Allowanceclaimants within our area arefeeling the heat as plans to

‘If at First’

In January a woman from Clowne visited our outreach venue on Mill Street. She brought in

documents relating to both current and previousclaims for child tax credits; her husband died a yearago leaving her and her Son. The papers shepresented indicated that she had incurredoverpayments of child tax credits from tax years2005/2006 and 2010/2011 the total beingapproximately £2,500. It appeared that she hadfailed to provide information to the Tax CreditsOffice by a particular deadline date in order torenew her tax credits award, this had happened in2005 and 2010.

We rang the Tax Credits Office to try and clarifywhat had happened with this Woman’s claim; wewere informed of her failure to provide information.The adviser we spoke to was able to waiver theoverpayment from the 2010/2011 tax year butindicated that we would have to appeal againstrecovery of the overpayment from 2005/2006 taxyear; giving our reasons.

Having spoken at length with the woman, she didstate that back in 2005 her husband had left workdue to illness, she had become his carer, and foundlooking after him very difficult; she did indicate that

she had learning difficulties and could barely readand write. Her husband had over the years dealtwith all financial affairs, and since becoming ill hadbeen unable to. He also began to hide or destroycorrespondence, so this situation created manyproblems for the woman.

On the appeal from we argued that theoverpayment should be wiped out because of thedifficult circumstances the woman found herself in.The first response was a resounding rejection of ourarguments, which we received in May 2011. Wegathered further information from her whichincluded much more detail about predicament overtwo years, what did come to light was isolation thiswoman felt over a long period. We sent off furtherinformation in June and waited until the end of Julywhen a second response was received. This time wereceived a letter requesting further information inthe form of questions about how the woman wasdealing with correspondence received at the time;more information was sent back soon after.

In September 2011, we received a new decisionwhich was favourable to the woman. It read thatdue to ‘exceptional circumstances’ the overpaymentwould not have to be repaid. This case is areminder that if at first you don’t get what you wantkeep trying, don’t give up.

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Aman came to visit us at our Bolsover outreachin June this year. He had been in receipt of

Employment and Support since 2009. He hadcome in to have a benefits check which he hadbeen encouraged to do by his family. He broughtwith him various papers from the Department ofWork and Pensions. We discovered that he wasreceiving ESA, which included the ‘Work RelatedActivity Component’. We assumed that he had atsome stage been medically assessed and beenfound to have Limited Capability for Work’. It wasat the point when he produced an appeal decisionnotice from the summer of 2010 that we realizedthat the DWP had in fact been underpaying thisman for many months and had subjected him tounnecessary contact with them through ‘WorkFocused Interviews’.

The letter stated that an ESA appeal had beenallowed, but more importantly the man had beenfound to have Limited Capability for Work RelatedActivity by virtue of ESA regulations. Essentially itwas decided that he should be placed in thesupport group (would not be expected to work dueto their condition) as there would be a substantial

risk to his mental health if he was found fit forwork.

We immediately rang the DWP at Derby, explainingthe situation. They asked us for a contact numberand informed us they would ring back but withinthree hours. We argued for a shorter time span forsuch a call back, as we were unlikely to be with thecustomer for the next three hours. We were put onhold and then told a Decision Maker would call usback as soon as possible. Twenty minutes later aDecision Maker was apologizing for the error andpromising to put things right straight away.

The difference between the work related activitycomponent and the support group component is£5.60, the amount the man received back asarrears was not large. The significance of usdiscovering the benefit error was the effect upon hismental health. He had the previous week been to awork focused interview which he had found verydistressing, and had set back his recovery. Thissituation could have been avoided, but could havegone on for many months. This case highlights theneed for the retentions of well funded adviceprovision within our communities.

replace the benefit are beingformulated, and are to beimplemented in 2013, as part ofnew welfare reforms. DLA is to bere-named Personal IndependencePayment it is certain that existingclaimants will be subjected tostricter assessments to qualify, andas a result of this many will loseentitlement.

At our Shirebrook office and thenumerous outreach venuesthroughout Bolsover we continueto experience high demand forour service. Our team of staff andvolunteers are meeting thischallenge, working hard to ensurethat we deliver a first class serviceunder difficult circumstances. Inearly summer we moved ourBolsover outreach venue fromCastle Street to join Community

Voluntary Partners (CVP) in theirnew offices at Kitchencroft. This isthe old Voluntary ActionBolsover/Business Link buildingopposite the District CouncilOffices. This continues to be aMonday afternoon session from1.00 pm to 3.30 pm. Since themove we have experienced asignificant increase in the numberof local people wishing to access

our advice provision; many havingcome straight from Bolsover JobCentre. This highlights the factthat our service is both valued andtrusted within the community. Asthe public purse continues toshrink and services are withdrawnor re- organised, we face difficultytimes ahead. Despite significantcuts in our core funding wecontinue to face an increase inenquiries as the economicsituation for many in our areaworsens. We would be unable tocontinue meeting the increase indemand without the help of ourfantastic group of volunteers. Gill,Cindy, Allison, Shell, Karen, Keithand Paul give their time and effortweek in and week out, to makesure we can continue to providethe best service possible to theresidents of the Bolsover District.

‘DUWC took the worry off usand directed us in the rightdirection what a relief, Ifthese people weren’t herefor Shirebrook people wewould be in a rightmuddle.’

Mrs R. Shirebrook

1

Note 1: Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit covers payments on a weekly basis for accidents at workand diseases contracted as part of work. These include Bronchitis and Emphysema for miners, VibrationWhite Finger, Deafness, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Pneumoconiosis and many Asbestos related diseases.As a result of these Tribunals the following amounts were awarded:

Lump Sum Arrears: £390,719Ongoing Weekly Benefits p.a.: £782,434

Over a year general enquiries at the Centres and Outreach Offices (as well as by home visits)resulted in payments amounting to £1,170,450 for Derbyshire residents.

During the last year this has meant a total of £2,343,603has been won through our advice and representation and at appeals

Type of Appeal Oct 1st 2010 - Sept 30th 2011 Completed Pending

Incapacity Benefit & Employment Support Allowance 209 351

Disability Allowance & Attendance Allowance 86 264

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (see note 1) 16 71

Job seeker’s Allowance 5 72

Income Support 5 22

Tax Credits 5 24

Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit 0 5

Other 0 19

TOTAL 326 828

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When the results are matchedwith the national figures -reported at around 40% for ESA,two issues are illuminated.Firstly the national figure shows

the total number of appealsincluding those who appealedbut did not attend an oralhearing, having their case dealtwith without representation or

the opportunity to provideevidence and cross examinationon the day.

Secondly our success rate showsthe worth of our support andrepresentation for the people ofDerbyshire. Without our helpmany people would be wronglydisqualified from entitlementsand further impoverished as aresult.

The Value of Our Representation!The number of appeals attended by our adviserscontinues to grow at an alarming rate. With 828waiting to be heard, we expect that figure to grow to1,000 early in the new year. Our success rate is justunder 80% for Employment and Support Allowanceappeals and just over 60% for Disability LivingAllowance tribunals.

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To all our funders, our Management Committee,our OFFA Contributors and all our supporters.

The Management Committee would like to thank all those who have given freely oftheir time and talents throughout the year in pursuit of the aims and objectives of theDerbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centres.

ChairCllr Graham Baxter

(N.E.Derbyshire District Council)

Vice- ChairBarry Johnson

(Chesterfield & District TUC)

TreasurerIan Rutledge (co-optee)

Chesterfield Borough CouncilCouncillor Amanda Serjeant

Alfreton Town CouncilS Marshall-Clarke

R Johnston

Bolsover District CouncilCouncillor Ann Syrett

Chesterfield & District TradesUnion Council

John Knight and RogerDavenport

Derbyshire Association of Trades Union Councils

Shay Boyle

MembersJohn Gilbert, Frank Sims,

Keith O’Neill, Angela Webster,Elaine Tidd, Caroline Tipple,Nicolo Ferrera, Justine Bark,

Hilary Cave, Josephine Moran

Co-opteesDave Marriott (PCS)

Dorothy Carter (ACCA)Sarah Roy (Law Centre)

Centre StaffColin Hampton - Co-ordinatorAndy Parkes - Welfare Rights

Lynn Bagshaw - AdminNeil Buxton - Welfare Rights

Sarah Walters - OFFA FundraiserTim Wilkinson - Welfare Rights

Katrina Hudson - Welfare RightsJohn Bradley - Welfare Rights

Kathy Farr - Welfare Rights

Designed and printed by North East Derbyshire District Council. 4566

Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centres are funded by Bolsover District Council, ChesterfieldBorough Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, Derbyshire County Council, CoalfieldsRegeneration Trust, Derbyshire Community Foundation, Alfreton Town Council, Somercotes ParishCouncil, Salcare Heanor, as well as contributions raised through the One Fund For All.

WHERE TO GET ADVICEChesterfield & North East Derbyshire

70 Saltergate, Chesterfield S40 1JRTel 01246 231441/Fax 01246 551529

Email: info@duwc.org.ukMonday-Thursday 9am-3.30pm

Friday 9.00am-12.00 Noon

Clay Cross – Adult Education Centre, Market Street,Monday 9.30am-12.30pm

Eckington – Business Centre, Market Street,Monday 1.30pm – 3.30pm

North Wingfield – Community Resource Centre, Whiteleas Avenue,Thursday 1.00pm-3.30pm

Grassmoor – Community Centre, New Street, Thursday 10.00am – 12.00 noon

Staveley – Learning Matters, High Street. Mon, Wed, Fri 9.00am – 1.00pm

Bolsover District44 Patchwork Row, Shirebrook, NG20 8AL

Tel: 01623 748161 Fax: 01623 743316Monday – Friday 9.00am-11.30am

Bolsover – Adult Education Centre, Castle Street, Monday 1.00pm-3.30pmClowne – Mill Street, Tuesday 1.00pm-3.30pm

Creswell – Limestone House, Elmton Road, Thursday 9.00am-11.30amPinxton – Village Hall, Kirkstead Road, Tuesday 1.00pm- 3.30pm

Carr Vale – Bainbridge Hall, Wednesday 1.00pm-3.30pmWhitwell – Community Centre, Tueday 9.00am- 12.00 noon

South Normanton – Cyber Café, Thursday 1.00pm – 3.30pm

Amber ValleySuite 4, Alfreton House, High Street,

Tel: 01773 832237Tuesday 9.00am- 12 noon,

Wednesday/Thursday 9.00am-12 noon/1.00pm-4.00pm

Heanor – Salcare, Ray Street , Friday 8.30am-12.30pmSomercotes – Parish Hall, Nottingham Road, Monday 1.30pm-4.00pm

Thanks

Management Committee 2010/2011