COUNTY: Unwell and disabled Dorset residents are getting a rough deal as a result of benefits reforms, according to a Citizens Advice Bureau report.

The ‘Not a Good Time to be Disabled?’ report sampled 149 cases between October, 2013 and March, 2014 from eight bureaux across Dorset including Bridport, Weymouth and Dorchester.

Report authors Dorset Citizens Advice Social Policy Group said the findings ‘demonstrate that disabled and ill claimants are experiencing considerable difficulties with claiming benefits following the introduction of welfare reforms’ and show 47 per cent of problems faced by claimants exposed ‘inefficiency and poor customer service that was unacceptable’ at Job Centre Plus branches.

Some of the allegations against Job Centre staff mentioned their failure to keep accurate records, failure to give correct information for benefits applications, and claimants who received “unhelpful” and judgemental communication from staff.

Problems with the national benefits assessments system were also recorded.

One client had their Education and Support Allowance benefits sanctioned when they missed several work-related activity group meetings – because they had pneumonia.

Another example highlighted the case of a CAB client with terminal cancer who wasn’t fully informed about making claims under ‘special rules’, meaning their ESA application was rejected.