What you can do

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Picket your local Job Centre

This is one we have tried and tested - to great effect.

Stand outside the Jobcentre and make your views known. Placards help. As people come in or out, shake their hand and thank them for claiming benefits. If they aren't in a hurry tell them at length why what their doing is positive, responsible and a boon to society. Give them a leaflet – use one of ours or make your own.

Anyone who has been required to attend the Jobcentre will tell you what a horrible atmosphere it has, how powerless and vulnerable those who attend are made to feel. Do something to change this. The presence of sympathetic protesters will provide a much needed boost the morale of those required to attend. It will also make Jobcentre staff cautious and limit their negative behaviour. You will brighten many peoples days, and probably feel really good about yourself afterwards.

Befriend the Sick/Disabled and accompany them to Assessments

(Note to lawyers: Private Providers (esp Atos) have a history of using litigation to silence online criticism of the 'Work Capability Assessment'. Note that criticism here is not directed at the private providers - who are only following orders - but at the DWP which pulls their strings.)

In recent years, the DWP has notoriously hampered the collection of statistics in order to prevent the consequences of their 'reforms' becoming known. However, by their own admission over 1300 people died within six weeks of being told to prepare to return to work (being placed in the 'work related activity group') following one of the new assessments – outsourced to private companies.

These assessments ignore the views of patients GP's and are often not even performed by doctors. 38% of decisions which deprive the sick/disabled of their benefits are overturned on appeal. This figure nearly doubles when the patient receives proper legal representation. It is clear that these assessments have been designed to reduce the number of claimants and meet political targets at the expense of accurately assessing the needs and capabilities of patients.

The enormous number of decisions overturned in appeal, and the much greater effectiveness of appeal when the patient has professional legal representation shows how unprepared many sick/disabled people are to demonstrate their condition in such a way as to have it taken seriously and get the help they need. Help them with this.

One of the first things noted in the assessment is whether the patient came alone or with someone. The latter results in their claim being taken more seriously. The assessments have been identified as intimidating by many patients and supportive organisations/professionals. Having someone with them will give patients confidence and help them speak up about problems they may have otherwise not mentioned due to embarrassment, helping them to jump the hoops to get the help they need - even if you don't directly contribute to the outcome.

Of course you can directly contribute to the outcome. The assessments are based on an obtuse and mechanistic 'points' system. Helping patients to understand this, and what they need to demonstrate in order to 'score' may be vital to a successful outcome. Help them to get the maximum entitlement. If you decide to do this, this is well worth reading.

Ask to have the assessment recorded.

Talk to your Friends

In the current war on welfare, attitudes are as important as policies. Many who can claim, chose not to due to stigma. When unemployed people have the misery of poverty and insecurity compounded with shame, the fear of unemployment, felt by those in work becomes that much greater. Negative attitudes to welfare are shamelessly screamed and broadcast in the Murdoch Press, the Mail/Express, the Telegraph etc. They face little organised opposition – with the Guardian and Independent obsessed with appearing neutral and avoiding strong positions.

It falls on us to promote healthier attitudes.

Boycott Workfare

Refuse to give companies who take part in Workfare Schemes - which force people on beneftits to work for well below the minimum wage, undermining your labour rights and hampering the creation of real jobs - your custom. Engage in protests and activism to damage their reputation and brand image. These tactics have proven successful time and time again. Argos, Homebase, Pizza Hut, Holland & Barrett, McDonalds, Maplin, Matalan, Shoe Zone, WH Smiths and Wilkinson have all withdrawn from Workfare Schemes following boycotts and protests. Help add to this list.

Write to your MP

Intuitively, this may sound pointless. However, if you include your name and address, your local MP has a statutory obligation to reply to your communication. If they do not, you can report them to the Parliamentary Standards Authority. Contrary to appearances, MP's are people and have to sleep at night. Make them confront the consequences of their policies. If nothing else lack of sleep will hamper them in their evil doings. Polite and concise logic will work much better than anger or abuse.

Claim Benefits

Pretty obvious, but many people who are entitled to Benefits do not claim them, whether due to stigma or because they didn't know what they were entitled to. Don't be one of these people. Know your rights and claim them!