15 May 1997 Edition
DHSS attacks unemployed
By Eoin O'Broin
Unemployment benefit claimants with ``care of'' addresses will be sanctioned by the Department of Social Welfare, according to Sinn Fein councillor for Twinbrook Michael Ferguson. Claimants will have to sign on every day, will have their mail address for Social Security mail changed to their Social Security Office and risk losing their current housing status.
One case has already come to light. A West Belfast man has had his claim suspended until he secures a permanent address. The resident, who has asked not to be named, is registered as homeless and claims JSA from the Andersonstown Social Security Office. He has received no written notice of the suspension of his claim, nor any explanation when he will start receiving benefit again.
Ferguson told An Phoblacht that ``this situation is incredible. A claimant registered homeless loses his entitlement because he is homeless. It's like losing your benefit because you are unemployed. It just makes no sense. The Social Security Office are punishing a man who is already disadvantaged, adding to his problems, and reducing his ability to get a job even further''.
Ferguson described the new measures as ``draconian'' and ``illogical''. He said one Social Security office in West Belfast has already introduced the new measure.
``The implications are clear,'' Ferguson said. ``It will reduce the numbers officially recorded as homeless, will disproportionately affect those with disabilities, ex-prisoners, and single people. In addition, it seems that these measures are only being introduced in nationalist areas, and will be experienced as sectarian''. He said it was suspicious that it was introduced in the two weeks before the election when everybody was occupied.
Ferguson has contacted the Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency in an attempt to clarify the matter. A reply has been promised, but not yet received.
A picket was held at Andersonstown Social Security Station on Wednesday 14 May, to protest against the new measures.
Unemployment benefit claimants with ``care of'' addresses will be sanctioned by the Department of Social Welfare, according to Sinn Fein councillor for Twinbrook Michael Ferguson. Claimants will have to sign on every day, will have their mail address for Social Security mail changed to their Social Security Office and risk losing their current housing status.
One case has already come to light. A West Belfast man has had his claim suspended until he secures a permanent address. The resident, who has asked not to be named, is registered as homeless and claims JSA from the Andersonstown Social Security Office. He has received no written notice of the suspension of his claim, nor any explanation when he will start receiving benefit again.
Ferguson told An Phoblacht that ``this situation is incredible. A claimant registered homeless loses his entitlement because he is homeless. It's like losing your benefit because you are unemployed. It just makes no sense. The Social Security Office are punishing a man who is already disadvantaged, adding to his problems, and reducing his ability to get a job even further''.
Ferguson described the new measures as ``draconian'' and ``illogical''. He said one Social Security office in West Belfast has already introduced the new measure.
``The implications are clear,'' Ferguson said. ``It will reduce the numbers officially recorded as homeless, will disproportionately affect those with disabilities, ex-prisoners, and single people. In addition, it seems that these measures are only being introduced in nationalist areas, and will be experienced as sectarian''. He said it was suspicious that it was introduced in the two weeks before the election when everybody was occupied.
Ferguson has contacted the Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency in an attempt to clarify the matter. A reply has been promised, but not yet received.
A picket was held at Andersonstown Social Security Station on Wednesday 14 May, to protest against the new measures.