A partnership to support vulnerable people

Pure Innovations supports people with disabilities and disadvantaged groups to get into work and access community and leisure activities.

Citizens Advice gives people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward — whoever they are and whatever their problem.

We came together in 2019 when Pure identified advice would be a valuable resource to their client offer.

Our close partnership means both organisations help provide the best opportunities for those with disabilities and part of disadvantaged groups to find their way forward. Pure Innovations funds Citizens Advice to employ a specialist adviser to work with their staff and support their clients.

Since 2019, nearly 300 of their clients have benefited from specialist information, advice and guidance. Applications for Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance, and Personal Independence payment are our clients’ most significant issues. By supporting with applications for benefits, our partnership has increased the income of 43 clients by £227,000 — that’s money these clients didn’t have before getting this support.

We are pleased to be able to announce a renewed partnership with Pure Innovations and look forward to continuing the great work and delivering increased impact for their clients.

Case study — John

John is 23. He is partially sighted, lives with his parents in Reddish, and is receiving Personal Independence Payment. John was referred to the Citizens Advice adviser by his Pure support worker — she wondered if John was eligible for any other benefits.

A benefits entitlement calculation was completed for John, and based on the criteria; John should have been eligible for Universal Credit — Limited Capability to Work. Our adviser submitted his application on his behalf.

We also supported John open his first bank account, as he didn’t have one, and at the time, his money went into his father’s account.

The application was accepted and backdated a month, meaning that John received an extra £7,643.61 per year.

Case study — Sammy

Sammy is 43. She suffers from depression, maladaptive personality traits, anxiety, psychosis and night terrors and was referred to our specialist adviser by her Pure support worker because she was struggling to pay her £750 per month rent.

Until five years ago, Sammy had been working, but recently she had to give up work because of her health.

She received Income-Related Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment.

Following a discussion with Sammy and the impact of her health problems, we agreed that we would make an application for ESA severe disability premium. Our adviser submitted this on her behalf and requested this be backdated to when she was diagnosed with her health problems.

Following a review by the DWP, they accepted the ESA with severe disability premium claim along with the request for backdating, which resulted in a one-off payment of £10,400 for Sammy.