After 20 years, what are your memories of Benefits and Work?

Details: Published: 11 October 2022

It doesn’t seem possible, but it’s now 20 years since we first created the Benefits and Work website. We’d love to hear how far back your memories of the site go and what it means to you.

We first registered the domain name benefitsandwork.co.uk in August 2002, but it took us a while to build our initial website. We did it ourselves using a programme called Microsoft Frontpage combined with an almost complete lack of technical knowledge. And it showed.

The first record of the site being online is on the archive website The Wayback Machine on 6 October 2002.

Back then we didn’t publish news, there was no newsletter and no forum.

But we did have guides to DLA, AA and incapacity benefit.

Many of the sites that we had links to on our home page have since disappeared.

Benefits Now, which allowed you to assess yourself for AA and DLA has long gone.

The DLA Group, a discussion forum for claimants, is also no more.

Lisson Grove Benefits Programme provides benefits calculation software that does still exist, but is due to reach the end of its life in March 2023.

Rightsnet, the site for welfare rights workers was already an old hand then and happily is still going strong.

Over that time many people have been involved with the site as volunteer moderators, writers, updaters, trainers, technical support and more.

And many more have become loyal subscribers, whose support is the only reason the site has survived for 20 years when so many others have disappeared.

So, we don’t suppose there’s anyone who remembers us from as far back as 2002 – we scarcely remember it ourselves.

But we’d love to hear from you in the comments below about how long you’ve been using the site and what part it has played in your life.

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greg · 2 years ago
Well done for all your help filling in all the forms it was a nightmare our claim was for my wife with your help she got the full award for both mobility and daily living congratulations on your 20th anniversary
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Jane · 2 years ago
Well done for helping countless numbers of people (including me) over the last 20 years! After being retired on ill-health grounds in 2003 I was told to apply for Incapacity Benefit, as it then was. I did, but after a couple of years the title was changed and so were the rules! Filling in those forms was like writing 'War and Peace', with no idea how my statements were going to be judged. I trawled the internet, found your site and have never looked back. The guides were invaluable, as was the forum. Ever since, with many changes in the rules, I've been able to face those 'books' of forms, and gain the award. Latterly, as my illness is progressive, I was refused ESA support, and with your aid, made a successful appeal. The judges even said they would be advising the DWP not to look at my case again as I was within 18 months of retirement age. I am now retired but will continue to support you in helping others. Many, many thanks!
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George · 2 years ago
Without your help I wouldn't have applied for pips even though I got the higher rate mobility. I was worried about getting all the information together but after going to your site it gave me more incentive to get what I was in titled to. Thank you
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Julie · 2 years ago
Congratulations on such a helpful site.
I managed to apply for esa and pip with your help, it was so overwhelming! Especially after spinal surgery,job loss etc but this site and support made all the difference. When I needed to do a MR second time round, I was prepared, and won! Thank you for keeping us up to date on all the latest info and guidance x
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PC · 2 years ago
A relative newbie of 11 years membership.
Guided me through the transition from IB to ESA, when I was, despite awaiting two major surgeries and very ill, put in the Work Capability category. Appealed and put in support group, where I remained until reached state pension age.
By the time I was called to change from DLA to PIP, five years ago, I was well prepared, through reading your guides and the forum, and sailed through the assessment. Awarded ongoing higher rate for both Daily Living and Mobility. I recommend the site to anyone I hear of who is struggling with form filling for benefits. I also renew my membership every year, to support those who find they are in need of your services. Thank you, and long may you continue helping oppressed sick and disabled people win ther rights and find justice.
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JayJay66 · 2 years ago
Congratulations 🙌🙌🙌

Funnily enough I was chatting to a welfare advisor about a case that went back many years and we hit onto the subject of Incap. I was trying to remember the grounds for severe mental health exemption and when it was removed as ESA came in. ( I'm an ex Benefits Officer latterly welfare adviser, now disabled and a carer myself).

I found my old notes along with a copy of guidance ( from Barton Hill ! ) dated 2007. I mentioned your name and another of us in the group remembered meeting you at a conference back then, too.

The legend lives on....
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anees292 · 2 years ago
I found this great site back then but so thankful I did because it's been helping us ever since with getting all the help and support required and has been for quite a few years since and
I've had endless help of the forum since 2015 and can't praise them enough "thank you"
I couldn't begin to tell you how valued your advice and support has been to me and others over the years and years.
And yes absolutely brilliant, congratulations on your 20th anniversary.
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Az · 2 years ago
God sent saviours
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Jude · 2 years ago
I became aware in 2008 when I had a breakdown and was several years later diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type 2. The excellent spotlights you shine on various disability rights helped me claim ESA and PIP whilst working and PIP still at standard rate since I took early retirement. Well done to all involved delivering such a brilliant service enabling people to know their rights like no other organisation/ business.
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Terrie Limbert · 2 years ago
Absolutely brilliant, congratulations on your 20th anniversary. I
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Lelly-a · 2 years ago
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you all. I found this web site at a very bleak period in my benefit life. Having been on DLA for a while I was then told i had to change to incapacity benefit. Then advise to claim PIP which I was awarded and claimed. Then they changed the requirements and although I was still awarded low living I only got medium mobility and my mobility car was taken away and I was devastated and housebound. I joined b+s and spent hours just reading your advice. I had a very bad face to face and with my new knowledge from you took them to the appeal courts. I had been through a soul destroying nightmare and faced three judges who showed alot of annoyance that I was even there and how unfairly and unjustly I had been treated. I told them about you and your advice and they were interested and impressed stating their approval that someone was finally helping the normal little people against the bad system. I was awarded high rate for both and finally got another car. I am still at the same place now. I always renew and keep reading your advice and as we all know the renewal benefit forms comes so fast and changes they make to kick the most people off the benefit always looks over us! But for now all is quiet..... Thank you so very much for rescuing me 8 years ago. Keep going. 🎈
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Anne · 2 years ago
I am so grateful to B&W over many years. Incredibly helpful clarifying the benefit system as well as appropriate work opportunities and the relevant information required with reviewd. The benefit system is a minefield and your site has helped me clarify and navigate through it in away that has eased mental stress and in a professional supportive way. Thank you.
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Mark ashley leigh · 2 years ago
I've had endless help of the forum since 2001 and can't praise them enough "thank you"
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Denis King · 2 years ago
My first claim to DLA was in 2007. I was awarded low rate for daily living but rejected for mobility. My appeal was successful and accepted, at the first meeting of the panel, at Norcross. I was awarded the higher rate for mobility, wthout any final date. However, because of my age, I then had to apply for PIP. I felt quite confident on the mobility side but did not think i stood a prayer of getting anything for daily living. I then discovered your guides and advice, which was a total game changer. I realised that I was already using several aids(stools for cooking and showering, grab handle in shower, jig for putting socks on etc)j. In the end, I got 11 points for daily living, so was awarded the middle rate and I retained the top rate for mobility. My asseessor told me that my application was one of the best that she had ever seen. That was all thanks to your help. I intend to pay my annual subscription to you, for the rest of my life. Please advise when my next one is due please?
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Chilli · 2 years ago
I just checked my subs, I've been a member for 10 years but I remember using the site for at least a couple of years before subscribing.

One minute I was a manager in charge of many staff, salaries, pensions, procurement, buildings etc. and the next I found myself disabled, unwaged and lost in an alien and what seemed to be quite a hostile world of DWP and the benefits system. Without the lifeline of B&W I would have had no idea where to start asking for the help I desperately needed. I can't even remember how I found you - maybe the gods were smiling on me that day!!

The guides were invaluable when it came to applying for DLA and whatever the other one was called back then! They not only showed me where to start but they gave me confidence to say yes, I am entitled to this so I will apply. And thanks to B&W's thorough guides I've been successful at every review since then. The site is far more polished now than it was but I'll still be eternally grateful for B&W in whatever shape or form. Thanks, Team B&W.
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Phoebles · 2 years ago
I remember coming across you on a Barton Hill advice service site which must predate the Benefits and work website. Like many I was completely new to the Byzantine world of benefits and would never have had the confidence to apply without your advice. For me it was truly life saving - I can’t thank you enough
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LYNN CAMPBELL · 2 years ago
Hi, My name is Lynn Campbell, Welfare Officer for Glasgow Golden Generation, formerly known as Glasgow Old Peoples Welfare Association. I joined GOPWA in 2000, and i was keen to learn more about benefit entitlements for older adults. I completed several Training Programmes and along came Benefits & Work, we joined as members, although membership subsided over the years, but i do still receive your Email/newsletter, which I pass onto my welfare team, here at the Charity

I couldn't begin to tell you how valued your advice and support has been to me and others over the years.

I promote your Service at every opportunity to people, to help enable them complete their forms, giving them advice and guidance.

i am still here, still enthusiastic, so please keep up the good work, we have been through so many hard times and your advice has always been invaluable to me.

all the best for the next 20yrs, and i hope i am still doing the same.

regards

Lynn Campbell
Snr Welfare Officer
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tinytim · 2 years ago
I think i have been with Steve D on this site since 2002 seems only like yesterday for me although i am a lot older. I did used to like the old forums and there also used to be yourable forum.
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s4ndytrott · 2 years ago
I have been using the site since 2015. Without your wonderful guides I would have been unable to make the applications for PIP and ESA. I was in a deep depression at that point and life seemed pretty hopeless. Finding your site really helped andI am sure without your advice and guides I would have given up. I've used the site for PIP renewals to so the support I'd ongoing. I recommend the site to loads of people via our Buddhist group and the forum I am on for my health conditions. Absolutely everyone says the same thing....couldn't have done it without you! Thank you, you probably saved my life.
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Luke Mazers · 2 years ago
In 2013 a small accident quickly turned to disabled for life - my head was spinning and I was told I needed to register with the DWP in order to get help, never even thought of the process till that point. I was rejected with lies from my assessment, mandatory reassessment rejected what was left was a magistrate court. First time in my life in front of a judge having to prove a disability that was confirmed by doctors and I found this site. Used the info and help they offered and won. A total reversal of the DWP decision. Every re assessment is fraught with confusion but with this site I have answers to every question and more knowledge than the assessor in front of me. Saved my life and sanity and if I ever come a cross someone like me baffled by the system I send them the link to Benefits and Work. You do the work the DWP should please keep it up!
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