Hostname: page-component-6766d58669-nf276 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-19T10:23:44.662Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Welfare Rights Work into the 1990s—a Changing Agenda*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2009

Pete Alcock ,
Jane Shepherd ,
Gill Stewart  and
John Stewart
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The authors discuss the development of welfare rights advisory work in Britain, tracing its origins from the Community Development Projects of the late 1960s to services which are funded mainly by local government. Changes in social security legislation in 1980 introduced a largely non-discretionary regulated scheme which was quickly exploited by welfare rights advisers to maximise the take-up of single payments. Advisers and social workers were blamed for generating a deluge of claims by informing claimants of their right to extra benefit. Hence, in 1986, the government restricted entitlement to single payments. It is argued, on the basis of a survey of single payment queries made to welfare rights advisory agencies, that those restrictions foreshadowed the coming of the social fund—with its discretion, cash limit and extremely limited eligibility. The implications for welfare rights work in this changed climate are considered.

Information

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 20 , Issue 1 , January 1991 , pp. 41 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

REFERENCES

Adam Smith Institute (1989), Needs Reform: The Overhaul of Social Security, ASI.Google Scholar
Alcock, P. and Shepherd, J. (1987), ‘Take-up campaigns: fighting poverty through the post’, Critical Social Policy, 7:1, 52–67.Google Scholar
Alcock, P. (1989), ‘Up to their necks’, Community Care, 2 02 1989, 22–23.Google Scholar
Alcock, P., Craig, G., Hill, M. and Vamplew, C. (1989), ‘Lesser expectations’, Community Care, 24 08 1989, 16–17.Google Scholar
Allbeson, J. and Smith, R. (1984), We Don't Give Clothing Grants Any More: the 1980 Supplementary Benefit Scheme, CPAG.Google Scholar
Becker, S. and Macpherson, S. (1986), Poor Clients, Benefits Research Unit, University of Nottingham.Google Scholar
Beltram, G. (1984), Testing the Safety Net, Bedford Square Press, London.Google Scholar
Berthoud, R. (1984), The Reform of Social Security—Working Papers, PSI.Google Scholar
Berthoud, R. (1986), Standing up for Claimants: Welfare Rights Work in Local Authorities, PSI, London.Google Scholar
Byrne, D. and Jacobs, J. (1988), Disqualified From Benefit: the Operation of Benefit Penalties, Low Pay Unit.Google Scholar
Camden Tribunal and Rights Unit (1987), Legal Action Against DHSS Delays, Camden TRU.Google Scholar
Cannan, C. (1975), ‘Welfare rights and wrongs’, in Bailey, R. and Brake, M. (eds), Radical Social Work, Edward Arnold, London.Google Scholar
Chief Adjudication Officer (1988), Annual Report for 1986/87 on Adjudication Standards, HMSO, London.Google Scholar
Cooke, K.P. and Baldwin, S.M. (1984), How Much is Enough? A Review of Supplementary Benefit Scale Rates, Family Policy Studies Centre, London.Google Scholar
Davies, C. and Richie, J. (1988), Tipping the Balance: a Study of Non-Take up of Benefits in an Inner City Area, DHSS Research Report No. 16. HMSO.Google Scholar
Greater London Citizens Advice Bureaux Service (GLOCABx) (1986), Out of Service: DHSS Local Offices in London: a Survey, GLocabx, London.Google Scholar
Green Paper (1985), Reform of Social Security, Vols. 1, 2 and 3, Cmnd 9517, 9518 and 9519, HMSO, London.Google Scholar
SirGriffiths, Roy (1988), Community Care: Agenda for Action, HMSO, London.Google Scholar
Harlow District Council (1982), Gaining Benefits From Day Care, Harlow.Google Scholar
Hill, M. and Laing, P. (1979), Social Work and Money, George Allen and Unwin.Google Scholar
Hinton, T. and Berthoud, R. (1988), Money Advice Centres, PSI, London.Google Scholar
Institute of Directors (1984), The Welfare State: Submission to the Supplementary Benefits Review, Institute of Directors.Google Scholar
Legal Aid (1987), Legal Aid in England and Wales: A New Framework, Cm 118, HMSO, London.Google Scholar
Leicester City Council (1986), The Braunstone Campaign, Leicester.Google Scholar
Mahoney, C. (1979), Neighbourhood Advice Centres: What They Are and What They Do, Voluntary Action, Westminster.Google Scholar
Moore, J. (1989), The End of the Line for Poverty, Conservative Political Centre.Google Scholar
National Adjudication Office (1987), Incorrect Payments of Social Security Benefits, HCP 319, HMSO, London.Google Scholar
National Audit Office (1988), DHSS: Quality.of Service to the Public at Local Offices, HCP 451, HMSO, London.Google Scholar
Piven, F. and Cloward, R. (1972), Regulating the Poor: the Functions of Public Welfare, Tavistock, London.Google Scholar
Secretary of State for Social Services (1986), The Supplementary Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1986. The Supplementary Benefit (Single Payments) Amended Regulations 1984, Cmnd 9836, HMSO, London.Google Scholar
Sheffield City Council (1986), Extra Weekly Money, Supplementary Benefits Take-up Campaigns Phase 2.Google Scholar
Social Security Advisory Committee (1988), Sixth Report, HMSO, London.Google Scholar
Stewart, G. and Stewart, J. (1986), Boundary Changes: Social Work and Social Security, CPAG/BASW.Google Scholar
Stewart, G. and Stewart, J. (1988), The Beginning of the End? Welfare Rights Workers' Experience of the Amended Single Payment Regulations, Cleveland County Welfare Rights Service for WROG, Middlesbrough.Google Scholar
Stewart, G. (1989), The Social Fund and Social Work in Strathclyde, Strathclyde Regional Council, Glasgow.Google Scholar
Stewart, G. et al. (1989). The Social Fund: A Critical Analysis of Its Introduction and First Year in Operation, Association of County Councils, London.Google Scholar
Supplementary Benefits Commission (1979a), Response of the SBC to ‘Social Assistance’: a Review of the Supplementary Benefit Scheme in Great Britain, HMSO, London.Google Scholar
Supplementary Benefits Commission (1979b), Annual Report for 1978, HMSO, London.Google Scholar