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Disability Benefit Training
Clydebank Asbestos Group responded to the challenge of their increased caseload with a commitment to improve the quality of the information which they provide for their members. In relation to benefits advice there is now a clearer understanding that although civil litigation and industrial injury benefits are key issues, other disability benefits and carers allowances are now also routine applications in cases where the claimant appears to satisfy the Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance regulations. The Welfare Rights Representation Unit have organised a training programme which goes a long way to achieving this improvement in the service required. All volunteers and staff are invited to these training sessions.
Freepost
A short questionnaire was sent out to every member/client of Clydebank Asbestos Group. In particular this helped to identify those members who may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance but who have not submitted claims for these benefits. This exercise also gave some indication of the take-up of the main carers benefit (Invalid Care Allowance). This survey was conducted using the Freepost facility provided by West Dunbartonshire Council. The Welfare Rights Representation Unit will support questionnaire analysis and action.
Past Funding
Increased activity has placed an added burden on the part-time unpaid volunteers who are the backbone of the Clydebank Asbestos Group (CAG). It must also be noted however that the number of CAG volunteers has also increased. In order to manage the workload, money (£10,000) was provided by Greater Glasgow Health Board to finance the Welfare Rights service provided by the group. This was for a period of six months which ended in March 1999. West Dunbartonshire Council awarded the group £25,000 and a grant of £7,000 was allocated through the Partnership to provide computer hardware and software with a view to enhancing the quality of service. A sum of £93,000 was awarded by the National Lotteries Board. This ensured that full time staff were in place to assist with all aspects of the groups work.
Counseling
While professional assistance is utilized by CAG to meet the current caseload it is important to stress that volunteer-based activity is the lifeblood of this group. In line with this CAG have been consistently trying to develop the skills of the volunteers. Counseling is an important aspect of these skills. In order to equip group members with these abilities a counseling course was organised by Hazel McQuarrie, Senior Training Officer, West Dunbartonshire Council. Following extensive discussions a two-day course was specifically designed to meet the needs of the support group. The training session held on 14th and 21st June 1999 were highly successful. The trainer for both days was Roisin McGoldrick from the University of Strathclyde, Jordanhill Campus.
Current Caseload
Clydebank Asbestos Groups caseload cannot be quantified by a simple headcount of the membership. Some members may only have a single benefit claim in addition to a claim at civil law eg. Industrial Injuries Benefit. Most asbestos victims however will require assistance with a number of separate claims to benefit and payments from the 1979 Workmen's Compensation Act. Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance and Incapacity Benefit are the most common welfare benefit claims. In addition to the mainstream entitlement issues there may be a claim for carers allowance or other social work issues to be addressed. For example, a request for a Social Work & Housing input or an Occupational Therapist assessment. Currently the group is assisting with upwards of 75 benefit claims.
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