ESA amendments will help mental health patients

Amendments to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in the welfare reform bill will help those with mental health problems, according to industry experts.

Charity Mind argues that the extension of the proposed one-year limit on contributory ESA claims to two years will allow  mental health patients in the Work Related Activity Group (or WRAG) of ESA, who have previously been working, to avoid facing a means test until they have been claiming for two years.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, commented: "We hope that the government respects this strong message that stringent time constraints for ESA will have a very damaging effect on disabled people, including many with mental health problems."

Mind hopes that amendments will continue to be made to the welfare reform bill to help those with mental health problems.

On Tuesday (January 17th) the House of Lords will debate the income replacement benefit to disability living allowance for people with work-limited conditions.

Read about support and personalised care at Barchester care homes for anyone with mental health concerns.