Our Employability Intervention worker Rhona is here to help people stay in employment / training while dealing with crisis situations such as homelessness, benefits and mental health. We’d like to share with you the story of one of Rhona’s clients as an example of the work she does at SCE.

Rhona’s Client was due to begin on our construction course when he was called to a Work Capability Assessment through the DWP. The assessment deemed him fit for work and he received a letter to tell him he had not been awarded enough points to remain on ESA benefit and had to ask SCE for help to apply for Universal Credit.

At this point he was unaware that he had to apply for Universal Credit online and thought his claim would be transferred automatically. This caused a five-day delay where he did not receive any benefits but was still expected to pay rent for this period. Rhona supported him to provide evidence to the housing department that he had not received any benefits covering these five days.

He also received help to complete an online application for Universal Credit and to phone UC to arrange an appointment at the local JCP, as he needed to provide identification papers.

This process was extremely stressful for him as he is affected by mental health issues, raising his anxiety levels considerably to the point that he could not deal with attending our construction course or attending appointments to sort out his benefits.

Rhona supported him to attend the JCP appointment with his required identification and arranged an appointment with Customer First to resolve letters he had been ignoring from the housing department.

Rhona also arranged an appointment for him to attend the Disability Council who will help him with his mandatory consideration/appeal against his Work Capability Assessment result and to apply for PIP.

He will not receive benefit for approx. five weeks however, He has received an advance including a rent payment, but he must pay the advance back over 12 months.

All very stressful situations for Rhona’s client who will continue to receive support from SCE until all his issues have been resolved and we are excited for him engage in another of our courses when he is ready.