New research project focusing on Armed Forces Service leavers in the benefits system
The University of Salford, working in partnership with the University of York, have been funded to undertake a groundbreaking project focusing on the experiences of Armed Forces Service Leavers in the mainstream conditional benefits system. The project – Sanctions, Support and Service Leavers: Welfare conditionality and transitions from military to civilian life – is funded by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT). This two year project represents the first substantive evidence base on the experiences of veterans within the benefits system and links to an existing national project focusing on the impact of welfare conditionality. Dr Lisa Scullion, Associate Director of the Sustainable Housing and Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU) at the University of Salford who is leading the project said: “Exemptions and easements are made to veterans who claim benefits as part of the Armed Forces Covenant, but very little is known about their lived experience of claiming benefits and meetings the conditions attached. We also know very little about whether the support on offer as part of that system is appropriate for their specific needs as Service leavers” Greater Manchester is a key fieldwork site for the project and we are currently looking for people who have served in the Armed Forces and who are claiming Employment and Support Allowance in the Work Related Activity Group (ESA WRAG), Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) or Universal Credit (UC) who might be willing to take part in an interview. We would be grateful of any assistance that organisations can provide in terms of disseminating information about the project to potential participants. For further information about the project or to be added to the project dissemination list, please contact Dr Lisa Scullion: l.scullion@salford.ac.uk
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