A decade ago, the introduction of Jobseekers Allowance was an attack on benefit claimants and it has been members of the PCS union who have implemented these attacks upon fellow workers leaving many with claims suspended, increasing poverty and crime. Leading people to claim Incapacity Benefits.

Over the last few months the government have started to attack those on Incapacity Benefits. What follows is a first hand account of how members of The PCS union have begun to suspend Incapacity Benefits.

Following information given to them, letters returned by a fellow tenant it was taken upon workers at The DWP to inform the landlord the person might not be living at his bedsit flat anymore.

One week on, the landlord informed them as far as he was concerned the person was no longer living there. When the claimant entered Bailey Court Job Centre to collect his weekly payment, he was informed his claim had been suspended until they could prove their living circumstance and why they had moved out of the address on their benefit claim.

They capitulated and gave a false statement informing the worker this is what they was doing, giving there reasons for doing so and a payment was given for a lower amount than his Incapacity Benafit. The Incapacity Benefit payment was suspended due to the fact they had given a statement under duress, harassment and intimidation that they was living rough i.e. homeless. Incapacity Benefits are not paid in full unless you have a stable address.

The following week they had now found themself BANNED from all Job Centres in Sheffield and also informed they was not allowed to phone. We suspect due to there political stance and debate with workers at The DWP.



The claimant had told them them the truth as to why they had to move from the address on the claim and that he was now living in a Squat (a more stable address than the other flat).

Despite this evidence, the Trade Union representative Dave has insisted the claimant is to give a 'care of' address. Though Dave has been told over the phone this is not possible, he has continued to keep the Claim Suspended and attack someone from his own social class. Dave insists he is, likewise, working class.

The protest today is about stopping attacks upon workers, the loss of there jobs and civil liberties we simply ask for members of the working class to consider this and other decisions made against claimants by benefit workers. If you can, please talk to these workers so they understand how them doing the government's job of dismantling the welfare state is affecting us. Phone Dave,(0114 2590326/7) at work and ask why as a trade union representative is he happy to implement the attacks of This Government upon claimants and suspend their benefits. However, he is prepared to take strike and protest action to defend his rights while attacking, willfully or otherwise, the rights of fellow working class people.

You can read the blog written by this claimant on line...
 http://pretentiousartist.com/blog where you will find links and information on action you can take to stop the attacks on benefits.

Thanks for taking time in reading this.

Please note, when phoning, to keep it polite and civil. Do not give them an excuse for further attacks upon our class.. This information has been produced by Sheffield Working(Class) Action Network (SWAN)