welfare rights

the legal entitlement to services provided for in SOCIAL POLICY. Welfare rights stand in contrast to those arrangements where GATEKEEPERS have the discretion to determine which people will receive a service and who will be denied. An examination of the British social-security system shows that, historically, both welfare rights and welfare discretion have been promoted at different times. Supporters of welfare rights argue that having legal entitlements is a means of ensuring that claimants are not at the mercy of the subjective value-judgements of the people who have control over welfare resources, such as social-security officers and housing managers. Critics of welfare rights have argued that claimants often do not know their rights and are placed in a demeaning situation by having to find advocates, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau. They also argue that the legal definition of entitlement cannot foresee all the circumstances when a need may arise and this may lead to some needy people being excluded from help when they could have been afforded support in a discretionary system.

Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2000

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References in periodicals archive

"The welfare rights team will continue to provide expert support and training to front-line staff across agencies and work to promote a wider network of benefits advice services.

PS2.7m extra support given

Eligible residents can get independent advice in Newcastle by ringing Welfare Rights on 0191 277 2627 or visiting the Citizens Advice.

Claim what benefits you are entitled to

Dumfries Welfare Rights manager Bill McCormack took a verbal swipe at those he insists are causing agony for the region's families.

Levels of poverty 'will only worsen' NEW BENEFIT FEAR

She also advised them to contact Welfare Rights and the Citizens' Advice Bureau for help.

Sanction inquiry as 825 are punished

For council tax concerns call the welfare rights team on 01642 526141.

Support available for former steel staff

If people want to help return the NHS to the treasure it has been in the past, abolish zero hour contracts, protect our welfare rights and see that we have effective Trade Unions who protect the workforce of this country, then the only way to vote is Labour.

Don't waste vote; you say

While there is naturally a cost in keeping on the permanent staff, there are very many other volunteers as well as my wife supporting this worthwhile organisation, where their unpaid contributions would be lost if the Welfare Rights Department is a victim of council financial constraints.

Funding cuts seem to be shortsighted; FEEDBACK

Many welfare rights officers have studied a subject such as social policy or community work to degree level, but this is not essential if you have enough practical experience.

Helping people know their rights is a satisfying career; Careers in welfare rights Sue Kelbrick on a job suited to those who want to help people out of difficult situations

A gold award was also given in the category "Excellence in Social Inclusion" to honour the council's work in supporting residents affected by the welfare changes, while another silver award was for work undertaken with organisations such as Warwickshire County Council, Jobcentre Plus, Chapter 1, the CAB, Credit Union, and Warwickshire Welfare Rights.

Info hubs get award

However, with the help of the Macmillan Bridgend Welfare Rights Service, patients and their carers are being given free confidential advice about what benefits and grants they are entitled to, resulting in PS1,003,599.42 being claimed locally in just over a year.

Support available to help cancer patients and their carers

Tell it like it is; women in the national welfare rights movement.

Tell it like it is; women in the national welfare rights movement

RNIB Welfare Rights Officer for Gwynedd and Anglesey Ellen Lloyd said: "Sight loss can result in additional expenses.

Blind missing out on millions in support