Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T02:22:50.088Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Can welfare-rights advice targeted at older people reduce social exclusion?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2008

SUZANNE MOFFATT  and
GRAHAM SCAMBLER
SUZANNE MOFFATT*
Affiliation:
Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
GRAHAM SCAMBLER
Affiliation:
Unit of Medical Sociology, University College London, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Suzanne Moffatt, Public Health Research Programme, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

It is known that, in general, people of pensionable age have gained in income compared to other age groups in the British population over the last two decades, but that a substantial minority still experience relative poverty. This paper reports a small qualitative study into the effectiveness of a welfare-rights advice and acquisition service for men and women aged 60 or more years that was provided through a local primary health-care service. Additional financial and non-financial resources were obtained by accessing previously unclaimed state-welfare benefits. It was found that these significantly improved the participants' quality of life. Fourteen of the 25 participants received some type of financial award as a result of the service offered, with the median income gain being £57 (€84 or US $101) per week. The impact of additional resources was considerable and included: increased affordability of necessities and occasional expenses; increased capacity to cope with emergencies; and reduced stress related to financial worries. Knowledge of and access to welfare-rights services also appeared to have a positive effect. It is argued that a level of material resources above a basic level is necessary for social relations and for accessing services and civic activities, and can reduce social exclusion among older people.

Keywords

welfare rightssocial exclusionpovertyquality of life
Type
Research Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 28 , Issue 6 , June 2008 , pp. 875 - 899
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abbott, S. 2002. Prescribing welfare benefits advice in primary care: is it a health intervention, and if so, what sort? Journal of Public Health Medicine, 24, 4, 307–12.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Acheson, D. 1998. Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health. Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.Google Scholar
Adams, J., White, M., Moffatt, S., Howel, D. and Mackintosh, J. 2006. A systematic review of the health, social and financial impacts of welfare-rights advice delivered in health care settings. BMC Public Health, 6, 81.Google Scholar
Argyle, E. 2001. Poverty, disability and the role of older carers. Disability and Society, 16, 4, 585–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Atkinson, A. B. 1998. Social exclusion, poverty and unemployment. In Atktinson, A. and Hills, J. (eds) Exclusion, Employment and Opportunity. CASE Paper 4, London School of Economics, London, 9–24.Google Scholar
Barbour, R. S. 2001. Checklists for improving rigour in qualitative research: the case of the tail wagging the dog? British Medical Journal, 322, 1115–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barbour, R. S. 2003. The new found credibility of qualitative research? Tales of technical essentialism and co-option. Qualitative Health Research, 13, 7, 1019–27.Google Scholar
Bardasi, E., Jenkins, S. and Rigg, J. 2002. Retirement and the income of older people: a British perspective. Ageing & Society, 22, 2, 131–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barnes, M. 2005. Social Exclusion in Great Britain: An Empirical Investigation and Comparison with the EU. Ashgate, Aldershot, Hampshire.Google Scholar
Brewer, M., Browne, J., Emerson, C., Goodman, A., Muriel, A. and Tetlow, G. 2007. Pensioner Poverty over the Next Decade: What Role for Tax and Benefit Reform? Institute for Fiscal Studies, London.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burchardt, T., Le Grand, J. and Piachaud, D. 2002. Introduction. In Hills, J., Le Grand, J. and Piachaud, D. (eds) Understanding Social Exclusion. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1–12.Google Scholar
Byrne, D. 2005. Social Exclusion. Open University Press, Maidenhead, Berkshire.Google Scholar
Chandola, T., Ferrie, J., Sacker, A. and Marmot, M. 2007. Social inequalities in self-reported health in early old age: follow-up of prospective cohort study. BMJ Online First, 27 April. Available online at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/rapidpdf/bmj.39167.439792.55v1 [Accessed April 2007].Google Scholar
Citizens Advice Bureau 2003. Serious Benefits: The Success of CAB Benefit Campaigns. Citizens Advice Bureau, London. Available online at http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/pdf_serious_benefits.pdf [Accessed June 2007].Google Scholar
Clark, H., Dyer, S. and Horwood, J. 1998. ‘That Bit of Help’: The High Value of Low Level Preventative Services for Older People. Policy Press, Bristol, Avon.Google Scholar
Clayman, S. E. and Maynard, D. W. 1995. Ethnomethodology and conversation analysis. In ten Have, P. and Psathas, G. (eds) Situated Order: Studies in the Social Organisation of Talk and Embodied Activities. University Press of America, Washington DC, 1–30.Google Scholar
Coppel, D. H., Packham, C. J. and Varnham, M. A. 1999. Providing welfare-rights advice in primary care. Public Health, 113, 131–5.Google Scholar
Corden, A. 1999. Claiming entitlements: take-up of benefits. In Ditch, J. (ed.) Introduction to Social Security. Routledge, London, 134–55.Google Scholar
Costigan, P., Finch, H., Jackson, B., Legard, R. and Ritchie, J. 1999. Overcoming Barriers: Older People and Income Support. Research Report, Department of Social Security, London.Google Scholar
Craig, P. 1991. Costs and benefits: a review of research on take-up of income related benefits. Journal of Social Policy, 20, 4, 537–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Craig, G. 2004. Citizenship, exclusion and older people. Journal of Social Policy, 33, 1, 95–114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davies, H. and Ritters, K. 2007. LinkAge Plus National Evaluation Team Interim Findings. Department for Work and Pensions, London. Available online at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/WP42interim.pdf [Accessed 8 January 2008].Google Scholar
Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 2000. Measuring Multiple Deprivation at the Small Area Level: The Indices of Deprivation 2000. Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, London.Google Scholar
Department for Work and Pensions 2006. Income Related Benefits: Estimates of Take-up in 2003–2004. Department for Work and Pensions, London. Available online at http://www.workandpensions.gov.uk/asd/income_analysis/final0304.pdf [Accessed October 2006].Google Scholar
Department for Work and Pensions 2002. Households Below Average Income (HBAI) Series 1994/05–2000/01. Department for Work and Pensions, London. Available online at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/hbai/hbai2001/contents.asp [Accessed May 2006].Google Scholar
Department for Work and Pensions 2005. Opportunity Age: Opportunity and Security Throughout Life. Stationery Office, London. Available online at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/opportunity_age/linkage [Accessed September 2007].Google Scholar
Evandrou, M. and Glaser, K. 2004. Family, work and quality of life: changing economic and social roles throughout the lifecourse. Ageing & Society, 24, 5, 771–91.Google Scholar
Gilleard, C. and Higgs, P. 2005. Contexts of Ageing: Class, Cohort and Community. Polity, Cambridge.Google Scholar
Ginn, J. 2003 a. Gender, Pensions and the Lifecourse: How Pensions Need to Adapt to Changing Family Forms. Policy Press, Bristol, Avon.Google Scholar
Ginn, J. 2003 b. Parenthood, partnership status and pensions: cohort differences among women. Sociology, 37, 3, 493–510.Google Scholar
Gordon, D., Levitas, R., Pantazis, C., Patsios, D., Payne, S., Townsend, P., Adelman, L., Ashworth, K., Middleton, S., Bradshaw, J. and Williams, J. 2000. Poverty and Social Exclusion in Britain. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York. Available online at http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/185935128X.pdf [Accessed January 2006].Google Scholar
Higgs, P. 1997. Citizenship theory and old age: from social rights to surveillance. In Jamieson, A., Harper, S. and Victor, C. (eds) Critical Approaches to Ageing and Later Life. Open University Press, Buckingham, 118–31.Google Scholar
Hills, J. and Stewart, K. (eds)2007. A More Equal Society? New Labour, Poverty, Inequality and Exclusion. Policy Press, Bristol, Avon.Google Scholar
Hills, J., Le Grand, J. and Piachaud, D. (eds) 2002. Understanding Social Exclusion. Oxford University Press, Oxford.Google Scholar
Hoskins, R. and Smith, L. 2002. Nurse-led welfare benefits screening in a general practice located in a deprived area. Public Health, 116, 214–20.Google Scholar
Hoskins, R., Tobin, J., McMaster, K. and Quinn, T. 2005. Roll-out of a nurse-led welfare benefits screening service throughout the largest local health care co-operative in Glasgow: an evaluation study. Public Health, 119, 853–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts (HCCPA) 2007. Department for Work and Pensions: Using Leaflets to Communicate with the Public About Services and Entitlements. Seventh Report of Session 2006–07, HCCPA, Stationery Office, London. Available online at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmpubacc/133/133.pdf [Accessed March 2007].Google Scholar
Kerr, S. 1982. Deciding about supplementary pensions: a provisional model. Journal of Social Policy, 11, 4, 505–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mackintosh, J., White, M., Howel, D., Chadwick, T., Moffatt, S., Deverill, M. and Sandell, A. 2006. Randomised controlled trial of welfare-rights advice accessed via primary health care: pilot study. BMC Public Health, 6, 162 [ISRCTN61522618].Google Scholar
Marmot, M. and Nazroo, J. 2001. Social inequalities in health in an ageing population. European Review, 9, 445–60.Google Scholar
Mayhew, V. 2002. Barriers to take up among older people: a summary of the research. In Fleiss, A. (ed.) Social Research Yearbook 2000/2001. Department for Work and Pensions, London, 57–65.Google Scholar
Mays, N. and Pope, C. 2000. Quality in qualitative health research. In Pope, C. and Mays, N. (eds) Qualitative Research in Health Care. BMJ Books, London, 89–101.Google Scholar
Moffatt, S., Mackintosh, J., White, M., Howel, D. and Sandell, A. 2006 a. The acceptability and impact of a randomised controlled trial of welfare-rights advice accessed via primary care: qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 6, 163.Google Scholar
Moffatt, S., White, M., Mackintosh, J. and Howel, D. 2006 b. Using quantitative and qualitative data in health services research: what happens when mixed-method findings conflict? BMC Health Services Research, 6, 28 [ISRCTN61522618].Google Scholar
Moffatt, S. and Higgs, P. 2007. Charity or entitlement? Generational habitus and the welfare state among older people in North East England. Social Policy and Administration, 41, 5, 449–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morris, J., Wilkinson, P., Dangour, A. D., Deeming, D. and Fletcher, A. 2007. Defining a minimum income for healthy living (MIHL): older age, England. International Journal of Epidemiology, 54, 12, 885–9.Google Scholar
National Audit Office 2002. Tackling Pensioner Poverty: Encouraging Take-up of Entitlements. Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, House of Commons 37 Session 2002–2003, November 2002. National Audit Office, London. Available online at http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/02-03/020337.pdf [Accessed January 2003].Google Scholar
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister 2006. A Sure Start to Later Life: Ending Inequalities for Older People. Stationery Office, London.Google Scholar
Office of National Statistics (ONS) 2001. General Household Survey 2001. ONS, London. Available online at http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/findingData/snDescription.asp?sn=4646 [Accessed January 2002].Google Scholar
Pantazis, C., Gordon, D. and Levitas, R. (eds) 2006. Poverty and Social Exclusion in Britain: The Millennium Survey. Policy Press, Bristol, Avon.Google Scholar
Paris, J. A. G. and Player, D. 1993. Citizens advice in general practice. British Medical Journal, 306, 1518–20.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Patsios, D. 2006. Pensioners, poverty and social exclusion. In Pantazis, C., Gordon, D. and Levitas, R. (eds) Poverty and Social Exclusion in Britain: The Millennium Survey. Policy Press, Bristol, Avon, 431–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Phillipson, C. and Scharf, T. 2004. The Impact of Government Policy on Social Exclusion Among Older People. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, London.Google Scholar
Prescott-Clarke, P., Primatesta, P., Bost, L., Dong, W., Hedges, B., Prior, G., Purdon, S. and di Salvo, P. 1997. Health Survey for England 1995. Stationery Office, London.Google Scholar
Price, D. and Ginn, J. 2006. The future of inequalities in retirement income. In Vincent, J., Phillipson, C. and Downs, M. (eds) The Futures of Old Age. Sage, London, 76–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
QSR International 2000. NVivo Version 2.1. QSR International Australia, Melbourne, Victoria. Available online at www.scolari.co.uk/qsr/qsr_nvivo.html [Accessed June 2003].Google Scholar
Ritchie, J. and Lewis, J. (eds)2003. Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Scientists. Sage, London.Google Scholar
Scambler, G. 2002. Health and Social Change: A Critical Theory. Open University Press, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire.Google Scholar
Scharf, T., Phillipson, C. and Smith, A. 2005. Multiple Exclusion and Quality of Life Amongst Excluded Older People in Disadvantaged Neighbourhoods. Social Exclusion Unit, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, London.Google Scholar
Scharf, T., Bartlam, B., Hislop, J., Bernard, M., Dunning, A. and Sim, J. 2006. Necessities of Life: Older People's Experiences of Poverty. Help the Aged, London.Google Scholar
Seale, C. 1999. The Quality of Qualitative Research. Blackwell, Oxford.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silver, H. 1994. Social exclusion and social solidarity: three paradigms. International Labour Review, 133, 531–78.Google Scholar
Silverman, D. 2000. Doing Qualitative Research. Sage, London.Google Scholar
Smith, N., Middleton, S., Ashton-Brooks, K., Cos, L., Dobson, B. and Reith, L. 2004. Disabled People's Costs of Living: More Than You Would Think. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York.Google Scholar
Social Exclusion Unit 2005. Excluded Older People. Interim Report, Social Exclusion Unit, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, London.Google Scholar
Toynbee, P. 2004. We cannot allow the poor to fall into the pensions abyss. The Guardian (London), October 13, page 24.Google Scholar
Victor, C. 2005. The Social Context of Ageing: A Textbook of Gerontology. Routledge, London.Google Scholar
Walker, A. and Walker, C. (eds)1997. Britain Divided. Child Poverty Action Group, London.Google Scholar
Wanless, D. 2004. Securing Good Health for the Whole Population. Final Report to The Treasury, Stationery Office, London. Available online at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consultations_and_legislation/wanless/consult_wanless04_final.cfm [Accessed May 2004].Google Scholar