It Really Has Come To This

PUBLISHED: 12:30, 10 January 2013 | UPDATED: 15:56, 10 January 2013

Unemployed agoraphobic woman, 22, claims 'discrimination' after being told she can't attend job centre via videolink

"Jen Lant risks losing her £98 unless she attends monthly meetings in person

The 22-year-old says she is discriminated against because she is disabled

An unemployed agoraphobic who receives benefits by attending Jobcentre meetings via videolink claims she is the victim of discrimination after being told she must start turning up in person.

Jen Lant risks losing the £98 employment support allowance she gets from the monthly meetings and argues the new rules discriminate against her because of she is disabled.

The 22-year-old, who has a GP's letter explaining her condition, has 'good days' when she can leave her house for a couple of hours but is often unable to set foot outside."

Incarceration
 
Nigel

Mental Health Is Rooted In The Context Of People’s Lives

2012

Mental health in context: the national study of work-search and wellbeing (DWP)

Summary
Full report

"Conclusion

The findings indicate that CMDs contribute to poorer employment outcomes, because by their nature, they erode beliefs about abilities and optimism about the future. But entering employment can support recovery.

More broadly, the study has shown that mental health is rooted in the context of people’s lives. Poor physical health, low levels of social support, neighbourhood context and adverse life events all play a role in whether or not someone will experience a decline in mental health during a period of unemployment.

However, there is an important distinction for policy-makers to consider between people who arrive on JSA with relatively stable employment histories having developed symptoms of distress as a result of recent life events, and those for whom a mental health condition is one issue among an array of longstanding life adversities."

Nigel