ARE YOU A CLAIMANT ?
SIGNING ON? SINGLE PARENT? ON THE SICK?
Fed up with benefit cuts and harassment? Sick of the propaganda against so-called "scroungers"?
GET TOGETHER WITH EDINBURGH CLAIMANTS
We are an independent group of claimants. We support each other when we have problems with the benefit authorities. We actively resist benefit cuts and compulsory "workfare" schemes, like the New Deal.
WHAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND EDINBURGH CLAIMANTS?
If we're isolated we can get mucked about But if we've got people backing us up then they've got to take some notice - or there'll be trouble! NEVER MEET THEM ALONE! If you've got a tricky interview, like a Restart or Benefits Agency Medical Examination, always take a friend with you. Join the Edinburgh Claimants Solidarity Network, a network of claimants who are willing to accompany each other to interviews - contact us for more details.
WHAT CAN I DO IF THE BENEFIT OFFICE TREATS ME UNFAIRLY?
Get in touch with us. We can discuss the situation, and either you or us can ring them up to get it sorted out. If this doesn't work we can insist on an interview with the manager. Often if they know you've got a group behind you they'll back down. If a particular official is harassing you we can activate our 3 STRIKES policy. We send the guilty official and their manager letters warning them to treat claimants fairly. If they continue with their bullying then we take their photos and flypost them with details of their anti social actions.
CALL IN TO MEET US AT THE AUTONOMOUS CENTRE
We are based in the Autonomous Centre at 17 West Montgomery Place (off Brunswick Rd.). It is open especially for claimants on Tuesdays 12-4pm. We have lots of info about claimants' rights, and leaflets about The New Deal, Benefits Medical Examinations, Fraud snoopers, Edinburgh Claimants Solidarity Network, Council Tax. We have computers, e mail, web access, badge machine,etc. The Centre is for people to use to organise against all injustice. We think that we all need to join together to create a completely different society, based on people not money, where everyone has an equal say.
Edinburgh Claimants, c/o ACE www.autonomous.org.uk