Benefit sanctions have NOT been suspended – as Universal Credit claimant found out the hard way
Remember when we were all told benefit sanctions would be suspended for three months during the coronavirus lockdown?
That seems to have been a lie, as 23-year-old ‘Ben’ discovered after waiting a month for a payment:
Ben, 23, had been sanctioned earlier in the year for being unable to find work, however, like payment holidays for homeowners and furlough for the employed, he believed the freeze would be lifted to support struggling households during the pandemic.
Last Thursday, [his] family who had waited an entire week to do their food shop, were sent a statement for £0 via the online portal.
It left them devastated – and worried about how they would survive the current crisis.
He has been directed to take out a hardship loan instead, it seems. This means he will be forced to pay back any money he takes out, over a very long period of time – probably forcing him into further debt and hardship.
It seems that this is the Tories’ plan.
The Daily Mirror says the DWP has now “clarified” the terms and conditions of the freeze on sanctions:
The department said sanctions that were already in place prior to the coronavirus outbreak will continue to apply.
Under the terms of the freeze, benefit and universal credit claimants will not face new sanctions for three months, the DWP said.
So claimants under sanction will have to fend for themselves with no money – after being led to believe that they would be helped.
This is particularly worrying for people with disabilities who, historically, find it particularly hard to cope with sanctions even in normal times.
But the situation has worked out okay for Ben and his family – after learning that a newspaper had taken an interest in his case, the DWP reinstated his payments and gave him £1,600.
This Site’s advice remains the same: if you need help, get in touch with a national newspaper.
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Here are four ways to be sure you’re among the first to know what’s going on.
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (in the left margin). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
I had wondered about that as I hadn’t heard anything about a Sanctions amnesty. It seems that even a pandemic is not enough to suspend the Class War. Tories reverting to type, the Nasty Party is alive and well.
The Tory Party manifesto talked about ‘treating benefit claimants with respect’. Clearly part of the 88% mis- and disinformation with with they plied the public during the election.
Shitte on a stick these devils ain’t satisfied with a virus going round they turn the screws more on those who can’t fight back karma will one day catch up to those only following orders