we have been working with clients with dyslexia for about two years, using the skills of an existing member of staff. In January 2013 we will be expanding on this as we have been funded for an eight month project.
Further details on our Dyslexia page
Universal Credit replaces Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, income based Job Seekers allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support. The scheme is due to be introduced to new claimants in October 2013.
As soon as information began to circulate, Ipswich DAB realised that this will not only be a huge change for our clients and Advisers in terms of the benefits themselves, but also in terms of the application method and our own methods of working with clients. Currently, most claims are submitted on paper forms filled in by Advisers by hand. Universal Credits have to be claimed online and an online account maintained, with claimants also receiving information in this access to a computer or the internet and 55 percent do not know how to use either or both.
In order to prepare ourselves and meet the needs of our clients, we applied through Suffolk Foundation, to the Improving Suffolk Fund for funding for Advisers to begin using online forms with some of our clients. This will enable both Advisers and clients to assess what their difficulties will be with the implementation of Universal Credit and what provision Ipswich DAB will need to make in order to continue to provide the same level of service to our clients. The study has the support of Ipswich Job Centre Plus.
Ipswich DAB serves an area that as well as the Borough of Ipswich, covers Kesgrave and south Suffolk from Shotley westwards to Hadleigh. NEW OUTREACH SERVICE STARTING ON 28TH MARCH 2013, THE SESSIONS WILL BE HELD EVERY THURSDAY 10am to 4pm AT BRANTHAM LEISURE CENTRE, NEW VILLAGE, BRANTHAM, CO11 1RZ. TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT PHONE IPSWICH DAB ON 01473 217313, this will make it easier, and less costly, for clients in south Suffolk to access our services.
The outreach has been made possible by a grant from the Facilitation Fund managed by the Cabinet Office for Disability Issues as well as support from the Lord Belstead Charitable Trust, the Scarfe Fund and Somersham and East Bergholt Parish Councils. We currently have funding for just over a year and continued funding beyond that period will depend on level of usage.
Unfortunately our power cables, especially those on overhead pylons can be affected by snow and ice and high winds at this time of the year. UK Power Networks are the company that look after these cables and have to go out and repair them when something goes wrong. They are concerned that people who are vulnerable during a power cut get the help they need. Examples include people who are dependent on electricity for medical equipment such as oxygen, nebulisers, dialysis, sleep apnoea, hoists, stair lifts or have medication that needs to be kept in a fridge. Also, people who have chronic health problems, mobility problems and other disabilities or who are frail.
You need to join the Priority Customer Register and Ipswich DAB has the forms. You can also join by e-mail: prs@ukpowernetworks.co.uk or by telephone: 0800 169 9970
When you join you will be given a priority phone number that you can contact to report a power cut (or get updates) without being held in a queue. UK Power Networks, once they know of a power cut will try to contact all registered customers in the affected area. However, you will need to use an ordinary landline telephone, as cordless phones do not work during power cuts.
UK Power Networks work closely with the British Red Cross who will visit to offer help during adverse weather or if the power cut will last for several hours. They may set up emergency centre where people can be taken to keep warm and get hot drinks and snacks.
Finally, one the repairs to the electricity cables have been completed, people on the Priority Service Register will be contacted to make sure that individual homes have been restored. This is because trip switches can be affected as the power goes off and need to be reset when it is restored. However, these are usually situated in places that are awkward to get to, such as the cupboard under the stairs.
Firstly, a Happy New Year from everyone at Ipswich DAB – let us hope that it will be peaceful and healthy for us all.
Ipswich DAB was founded in 1973, so 2013 is be a very special year for us as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. We have designed a logo to mark the occasion and this is now on our home page. We will be holding some events throughout the year to celebrate the occasion – so watch this space for details.
Secondly, welcome to our new website which went live at the end of November 2012.
2012 was the busiest year ever for Ipswich DAB, with a very big peak at the time of the implementation of the Welfare Reform Act. Since September 2012, Advisers have attended more Tribunals as, following a change of venue for those held in Ipswich. They are now held on four days each week rather than one day a week, as was previously the case.