BENEFITS ‘buddies’ are needed to help vulnerable and disabled people in Musselburgh deal with health assessments.

The local Citizens Advice Bureau has made an appeal for volunteers for the new initiative after concern was raised that many claimants were being forced to appeal after being denied their entitlements.

For the last few years, sick and disabled people have had to attend health assessments in order to prove they were eligible for benefits.

But the CAB has claimed that the process was often “very difficult and stressful” for people.

Organisers want volunteers to come forward to ‘buddy’ applicants.

Manager Yvonne Cassidy said: “The CAB service relies on volunteers, and we are always looking for people to give their time and train as volunteer advisers. But this particular project is new and very specific. We are setting it up in direct response to the problems we’ve seen with these assessments.

“Many applicants find them to be very stressful from beginning to end. The application form itself is not easy, the actual assessment interview can be daunting, and the whole process is lengthy and often complicated.

“At the CAB we do all we can to help people through all this, and we have often been successful in winning appeals. However, the feedback we’ve had suggests that applicants would appreciate having the support of one dedicated individual, who will be by their side from the start of the process right through to the end. So that’s what this project is about. We want to find local heroes in East Lothian who will give up some of their time to buddy an applicant to help them get the support they are entitled to.

“The sort of people we are looking for is someone who can understand and process information, like application forms and rules, who is sympathetic and a good listener, who can be firm and strong but remain calm under pressure.

“People don’t need to have experience in these situations, as full training will be given. They can be any age, but you do of course need to be willing to give up some free time – roughly six hours per week.

“We are looking for people right now. Even if they just want to have an informal chat about it, they should give us a call. It could end up being one of the most rewarding experiences of their life.”

Johnnie Duncan decided to become a ‘buddy’ after going through the process himself.

He said: “The health assessment I went through was so nerve racking and I want to help others who find themselves in the same position.”

Buddies will need initial training at the CAB. They will then meet the applicant and help them prepare for the assessment. They will have to attend the assessment and take notes. They will help ensure good communications afterwards between the applicant, Department for Work and Pensions and CAB. If necessary, they will support the applicant to appeal, assisted by the CAB.

Anyone who wants to apply to be a buddy should call into the CAB office, phone 0131 665 1141 or email info@musselburghcab.casonline.org.uk