I work as a benefits advisor for a local Mind in London. Each day I personally see the negative impact that face-to-face assessments can have on the people that I support. For some people face-to-face assessments are a huge hurdle, as the thought of going somewhere unfamiliar, going on public transport or having a stranger in their home can be extremely difficult. I’ve shared my experience in this short video.

Watch my video

I’ve had clients who haven’t left the house in years to go somewhere unfamiliar, who miss assessment after assessment – meaning no money for food or rent.

This is why I support the UK government’s decision to cancel mandatory face-to-face assessments during coronavirus, and introduce the option of phone or paper assessments instead. I want those of us with mental health problems to have the choice about how our assessments are conducted so we can get the support that we need.

The UK government has shown us how easy it is to make the changes for a more accessible benefits system during the coronavirus pandemic. Let’s make this change permanent.

If you haven’t already, please support us by writing to your MP. We need your MP to tell the UK government that assessments should be held in a way that that doesn’t risk making our mental health worse.

Write to your MP

Thank you for your support. Together we can make this change happen.

Take care,

Zad (Local Mind Welfare Rights Advisor)