What is the psychological impact of disability cuts?

Jessica Saffer at the University of Hertfordshire is carrying out a study to explore the impact of a loss of disability benefits on people with physical health problems.

This study will explore how losing money related to helping people with a physical disability affects people, including their daily functioning, sense of self and perceptions of disability.

Are you willing to be interviewed?

Jessica is looking for people who are willing to be interviewed about their experiences. She is looking for people who meet both the following criteria:

• You have lost a benefit, entitlement or allowance in the past few years, and may (or may not) have appealed this decision.
• You are aged over 18 years and have at least one life-limiting physical health condition, disability or impairment (and you may also have additional difficulties or mental health problems).

Ideally Jessica is looking for people who live in Hertfordshire or London in the first instance, but it may be possible to meet in other locations.

What does the study involve?

You will be given more information about the research and an opportunity to ask any questions before consenting to take part. 

If you decide to be involved, we will arrange to meet at a convenient location. You will be asked a number of questions about your views and experiences of losing disability benefits. This will last between 45 minutes and one and half hours, and it will be audio-recorded to allow it to be transcribed afterwards. 

You will not be provided with support about individual benefit concerns but the interviewer may be able to direct you to someone who can help. 

You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.

What will happen to the findings?

The data will be kept on a password protected computer. The data will be used to develop a model that could help organisations think about ways of supporting people who are going through this experience, and perhaps to encourage policy makers to structure the system differently so that negative consequences may be avoided. Extracts of the transcripts will form part of public documents, including a research thesis and published papers in peer reviewed journals. All identifying information will be removed from transcripts to protect confidentiality.

Who can I contact?

If you may be interested in being involved or would like further information, please contact the researcher Jessica Saffer by email on j.saffer@herts.ac.uk

Official details

This study has been reviewed by The University of Hertfordshire Health and Human Sciences Ethics Committee with Delegated Authority. The approval protocol number is LMS/PGR/UH/02419.