One Voice - for disabled people
Welcome to the One Voice website
News
Benefits News
From May 1st, budget proposals came into effect that mean many people with savings or assets may lose their ESA payments:
The DWP has begun telephoning claimants whose employment and support allowance (ESA) is due to end because of the time-limiting of contribution-based ESA for claimants in the work-related activity group (WRAG).
Claimants are now only entitled to 365 days of contribution-based ESA if they are in the WRAG.
Time spent in the assessment phase counts towards the 365 days.
The new rules are retrospective, meaning that people who have already spent a year in the WRAG on contribution-based ESA will lose their benefit from 30 April unless they are entitled to income-related ESA.
This will not be a problem for people who do not have many assets. They just need to apply immediately for income-related ESA.
But for people who have their own home, or savings or a partner in work it is a great blow.
Income-related ESA is means-tested:
Claimants who have too much income (depending on their circumstances), capital of £16,000 or more or whose partner works for 24 hours a week or more are unlikely to qualify for income-related ESA.
The DWP claim that around 60% of those affected by the changes will be entitled to some income-related ESA.
Claimants whose condition has worsened may be able to ask for their award to be looked at again if they consider they should now be in the support group, where the time limit does not apply.
Claimants in the support group will not be affected and payments of income-related ESA will also not be stopped
Wolves Council Consultation
Wolverhampton City Council consulted with lots of disabled and Deaf citizens and others about savings and budget cuts.
They have changes some of their plans as a result of listening to people.
You can download a copy of the changes here (pdf)>>
If you want it in another format, let us know
Debt Advice
Since we launched our online Directory version 2.0 >, we have had a number of requests for links to more information on Debt, and managing your money.
We have added more links to the Directory, we have also zipped up our debt self-help pack for you to download - it brings together some guidance from One Voice as well as helpful leaflets and forms from the National Debtline. You should only download it if you have broadband connection as it is 3.11MB>>
If you want a print copy or cd-rom, contact us
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New to site....
New Jobs - in Wolverhampton
Application
details here>>
New Job - closing date Monday 21st May>>
New jobs related to the Olympics (mostly based in London) download here>>
New Funding/grant information page here>>
New Disability Network Section here>>
Tax & Benefits Updates
Regular updates on Government changes to the benefits system and taxes here>>
The results of our Photo competition here>>
Newsletter..
our brand new e-newsletter, here>>
have it delivered to your inbox>>
You can find links to old newsletters on the downloads page
Updates
Updated Access Pack here>>
Updated Accessability problems at new Bilston Leisure Centre here>>
Funding and grant opportunities without a deadline here>>
New Lurker page>> - showing you parts of the internet you might not know about!
(new Lurker page added every month)
Recent Blog Posts:
Our Blog has 2 or more posts a week, - there is often information on community groups and what they are doing, as well as opinion, news, and information>>>>>>
On the Website....
Access
Resource for disabled people and others interested in making the environment accessible.Includes help on access audits, advice on improving access, holding accessible events, information on access in Wolverhampton. Read more →
Directory
You can download a copy of the Disabled People's Directory here>>
Or order a print copy from the office>> (free to disabled people)
You can check out the online version Here →
The Directory has information on transport, work, money and benefits, health, living and dying, leisure, getting involved, elected representatives, house and home etc
Downloads
Download booklets, leaflets, information, newletters etc
All downloads avaiable in rtf, doc or pdf. Audio CD's and tapes available on request downloads>
About Us
Learn about One Voice, what we do, where we are, how to get involved, how to contact us. More →
About this website
This site was designed and created by disabled people.
Disabled people are responsible for creating and providing all content.
If you need to look at an old page or file that has been moved from this site, please contact us, we may have archived it, so we will be able to send you a copy.
Find Us!
You can find out where we are and how to contact us here>>
One Voice gets funding to help us with our work from Wolverhampton City Council
