Is the DWP trying to clear sick people from benefits if they are slow to move to UC?
Is the DWP trying to clear sick people from benefits if they are slow to move to UC?
That is what My London is saying in a recent article. It seems the Department for Work and Pensions is writing to people on Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, who may also be on Personal Independence Payment, telling them their claims are to be shifted to Universal Credit.
That’s all very well, if it is the policy of the new – Labour – government. Is it?
Also, without having been informed of any changes in claimant’s person circumstances, and because this is therefore an administrative change, shouldn’t the DWP be using the details it already has for the large number of people it wants to affect?
(I know it doesn’t work like that, of course. This is an opportunity for cruelty to the sick and disabled – and the DWP always takes those chances when they arise.)
So:
Financial advisors at Spencer Churchill Claims Advice are issuing a stern warning that those slow to act could find their benefits abruptly cut off, causing particular distress as we head towards the festive season.
A representative from Spencer Churchill stated: “People claiming ESA alongside PIP should be on high alert. If you’ve received a letter from the DWP since the start of September, it is vital that you act to make the transition to Universal Credit as soon as possible. Ignoring this could mean having your payments stopped just ahead of Christmas, which could cause serious financial difficulties.”
They added: “The move to Universal Credit will affect those currently claiming six types of support: Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related ESA, and Working Tax Credit. It’s crucial for people on these benefits to pay attention to any letters from the DWP. You have three months from the date of your letter to make a claim, otherwise you could lose your entitlements entirely.
“On Universal Credit, most claimants will receive the same amount or more compared to their previous benefits, but this is not guaranteed. If you are worse off under Universal Credit, you may be entitled to a top-up called transitional protection, which will cover the difference. However, this protection is only available if you respond to the DWP’s Migration Notice in time and make your claim before the deadline. Any changes in circumstances could also impact how much you receive.”
If you cannot claim Universal Credit by the deadline date, you should contact the Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline as soon as possible. You may be able to get more time to make a claim if you have a good reason. You must request this before your deadline date, the DWP said.
On the face of it, this transfer should mean a benefit increase for claimants.
But only if they jump through the DWP’s hoops in the right way.
If This Writer were on those benefits, I would be consulting Citizens Advice at the very least.
Source: DWP deadline looms with PIP benefit claimants warned to ‘take immediate action’
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:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). 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
5) Join the uPopulus group at https://upopulus.com/groups/vox-political/
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
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.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is 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:
The way that the New Labour Government have embraced and continued the Cruel Right-Wing Tory Policies is frightening.
People like myself are stuck in the scary balancing act of retaining Legacy Benefits or Losing out.
One little false move and I will lose up to £200 a month if I Voluntarily or Unwittingly make any small change in my circumstances.
The change needs to be forced by the DWP in order for you to retain your current level, so be very careful not to Move House, Area, Report any Minor Change or you too will lose it all as it will be regarded as a “New Claim”.