Post by Admin on Feb 10, 2021 11:40:08 GMT
Benefits & Work 10 February 2021 Update
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/4339-10-february-2021-update
Dear Reader,
In this update we reveal that in many cases PIP award extension letters are being rapidly followed by review forms to complete.
We deplore the DWP’s denial that disabled claimants need more financial help because of the pandemic, in spite of the mounting evidence.
We highlight a new PIP decision that will allow claimants with apparently good literacy and numeracy to still be awarded points for reading and budgeting.
And we tell you about the heart-breaking call to the DWP by Philippa Day that DWP lawyers didn’t want anyone to hear.
DWP DENIES DISABLED CLAIMANTS NEED MORE HELP, DESPITE EVIDENCE
The DWP has rejected the idea that disabled claimants have incurred additional costs during the pandemic, despite mounting evidence.
A report, Pandemic Poverty, released this month by the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) found that:
82% of disabled claimants have had to spend more money than they normally would during the pandemic.
This is most commonly due to greater food shopping and utility bills, as over half (54% and 53%) of disabled claimants said these costs had increased significantly.
44% of disabled claimants are reporting being unable to meet financial commitments such as rent and household bills.
The DBC is calling on the government to renew the £20 uplift to universal credit and extend it to legacy benefits.
A separate report by the Trussell Trust, Dignity or Destitution, is also calling on the government to keep the £20 uplift when it is reviewed next month.
The report forecasts an increase in the need for food banks amongst people claiming UC with 20% of people on UC -representing 1.2 million people – saying they would ‘very likely’ turn to a food bank if they lose the £20 uplift.
When it was pointed out to DWP secretary of state, Therese Coffey, last week that disabled people have borne higher costs during the pandemic, but those on ESA and JSA have not had any extra help at all, Coffey told MPs dismissively:
“I would not say they have been treated badly . . . I am not aware specifically of extra costs that would have been unduly incurred”
Coffey also refused to say when a report into how government policy contributes to foodbank demand would be published.
It was due out in September 2019, but has been supressed ever since.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Office is running a survey for disabled people which it says is aimed at understanding the barriers that disabled people face and what the government needs to do to improve their lives.
Follow the news links below for an opportunity to tell them exactly – though always politely - what you think the DWP ought to do.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/4339-10-february-2021-update
Dear Reader,
In this update we reveal that in many cases PIP award extension letters are being rapidly followed by review forms to complete.
We deplore the DWP’s denial that disabled claimants need more financial help because of the pandemic, in spite of the mounting evidence.
We highlight a new PIP decision that will allow claimants with apparently good literacy and numeracy to still be awarded points for reading and budgeting.
And we tell you about the heart-breaking call to the DWP by Philippa Day that DWP lawyers didn’t want anyone to hear.
DWP DENIES DISABLED CLAIMANTS NEED MORE HELP, DESPITE EVIDENCE
The DWP has rejected the idea that disabled claimants have incurred additional costs during the pandemic, despite mounting evidence.
A report, Pandemic Poverty, released this month by the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) found that:
82% of disabled claimants have had to spend more money than they normally would during the pandemic.
This is most commonly due to greater food shopping and utility bills, as over half (54% and 53%) of disabled claimants said these costs had increased significantly.
44% of disabled claimants are reporting being unable to meet financial commitments such as rent and household bills.
The DBC is calling on the government to renew the £20 uplift to universal credit and extend it to legacy benefits.
A separate report by the Trussell Trust, Dignity or Destitution, is also calling on the government to keep the £20 uplift when it is reviewed next month.
The report forecasts an increase in the need for food banks amongst people claiming UC with 20% of people on UC -representing 1.2 million people – saying they would ‘very likely’ turn to a food bank if they lose the £20 uplift.
When it was pointed out to DWP secretary of state, Therese Coffey, last week that disabled people have borne higher costs during the pandemic, but those on ESA and JSA have not had any extra help at all, Coffey told MPs dismissively:
“I would not say they have been treated badly . . . I am not aware specifically of extra costs that would have been unduly incurred”
Coffey also refused to say when a report into how government policy contributes to foodbank demand would be published.
It was due out in September 2019, but has been supressed ever since.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Office is running a survey for disabled people which it says is aimed at understanding the barriers that disabled people face and what the government needs to do to improve their lives.
Follow the news links below for an opportunity to tell them exactly – though always politely - what you think the DWP ought to do.