Latest news with #DepartmentforWorkandPension
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP explains work options for PIP claimants who lose benefits in major changes
The Department for Work and Pension has published its response to the Labour Party's Pathways to Work Green Paper - which sets out plans to reform disability and incapacity benefits The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has outlined the work support available to disabled individuals in light of impending major cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit and Carer's Allowance. Labour's Pathways to Work Green Paper is targeting a reform of disability and incapacity benefits, with an aim to encourage more people back into employment, thus reducing economic inactivity and bolstering Britain's employment rate. These alterations are anticipated to lead to approximately 370,000 PIP claimants losing their daily living element, while around 430,000 new applicants won't be eligible for it from the outset. READ MORE: Simple airport duty free trick to bag cheaper beauty and alcohol before arriving Furthermore, 150,000 individuals will lose their entitlement to Carer's Allowance if the person they care for is no longer eligible for the daily living component of PIP. Universal Credit claimants who receive the incapacity top-up for having limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) will see this payment frozen for five years, while new recipients will receive half the amount, which will also be frozen. Some households will be impacted by changes to all three of these benefits, reports Birmingham Live. Sir Stephen Timms, DWP Minister for Social Security and Disability, has detailed the support that's on offer to disabled individuals who are encouraged to transition into work. He was responding to a query from Graham Leadbitter (SNP MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey) regarding the effectiveness of the Disability Confident Employer Scheme and Access to Work. The Disability Confident Employer Scheme encourages employers to foster inclusive workplaces and support disabled individuals "to get work and get on in work." If an employer fails to adhere to the scheme, a complaints process is in place. The DWP has the authority to suspend a business from participating if it does not meet the criteria. Sir Stephen has been exploring ways to strengthen the rules and will present proposals "in due course." He also mentioned that assistance is available through Access to Work, which can provide personalised discretionary grants to support disabled individuals who wish to work. In 2023/2024, the scheme assisted 67,720 people either to secure a job or maintain employment. These grants can cover travel assistance, support workers, specialist aids and equipment, as well as mental health support for up to nine months. Sir Stephen further stated: "All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. "The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments."
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
When will my benefits be paid over Easter by the DWP?
As the Easter break approaches, some changes will be made to your benefit payment dates. The first day of the long Easter weekend is the Good Friday bank holiday (18 April) with a second bank holiday falling on Easter Monday (21 April). It's worth marking those dates if they match with when your payments are due. Here's what you need to know about when your payment dates fall this Easter — and why they have changed. Any benefit payments due on 18 April or 21 April will come into bank accounts on 17 April instead. This will be the case if you claim universal credit, carer's allowance, PIP or pension credit — as well as the state pension. The full list of the benefits can be found below. Attendance allowance Carer's allowance Employment support allowance (ESA) Income support Jobseeker's allowance (JSA) Pension credit Personal independence payment (PIP) State pension Universal credit Sometimes child benefit bank holiday payment dates differ. However, over Easter and payments due on 21 April will be paid on 17 April instead. It's worth bearing in mind that if your payment date doesn't fall on a bank holiday this April, your payments will be made as normal. As the Department for Work and Pension's website states (DWP), if your benefit payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you'll usually be paid on the working day before. This is because government workers and phone lines will not be staffed — for the most part — over the bank holiday period. In some cases, this is also done to assist people with any extra costs they are facing over holidays like Christmas. It's also worth bearing in mind that while your benefits may be paid early, this will mean your money has to stretch for longer. Want to make a note of the rest of the benefits payment date clashes expected this year? Then consult the table below. 21 April 2025 17 April 5 May 2025 2 May 26 May 2025 23 May 14 July 2025 15 July (Northern Ireland only) 15 July 2025 16 July (Northern Ireland only) 4 August 2025 5 August (Scotland only) 25 August 2025 22 August 29 December 2025 30 December (Northern Ireland only) 30 December 2025 31 December (Northern Ireland only) If your benefits payments do not arrive on 17 April, your first step should be to check your bank account to confirm whether the money has landed. If your expected payment date is correct and the funds are missing, you should contact the following relevant helpline: Universal credit: Use your online account or call the helpline on 0800 328 5644 PIP: Contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Labour's welfare cuts consultation called a ‘sham' as PIP changes not up for discussion
The millions of benefit claimants affected by Labour's planned changes to welfare will soon be able to have their say on the controversial package, but with one crucial catch: they aren't allowed to talk about the planned cuts. This is because several of the policies will not be included in the consultation, the Department for Work and Pension's (DWP) 'Pathways to Work' green paper reveals, prompting campaigners and charities to label the process a 'sham'. Amounting to £4.8 billion in welfare cuts, Labour's proposed changes would scale back some of the key health-related entitlements in the UK. The biggest cost-cutting measure in the package are the changes to the personal independence payment (PIP) – claimed by 3.6 million people – which make up 85 per cent of the savings. Alongside this is a freeze to the rate the Universal Credit health element for existing claimants, and the move to nearly halve it for new claimants. But neither of these measures will be included in the DWP's consultation, meaning disabled people will not be asked to discuss the changes at any of the sessions. In total, only half of the 22 policies proposed in the package will be in the scope of the conversations. Those interested in sharing their views have been invited to attend one of 15 in-person or online sessions which will be taking place across the UK for 12 weeks, from April to June. Announcing the start of the consultation on Monday, social security and disability minister, Sir Stephen Timms said: 'We inherited a broken welfare system, which incentivises ill-health, locks people out of work and isn't fit for a future in which so many of us will face long-term health conditions. 'We want a system that genuinely works for disabled people and those with health conditions, as well as the country and the economy, and we want to hear their views and voices at the heart of the new system. 'I encourage people to engage so they can have their say as we listen, learn and deliver support which will help millions into work, put welfare spending on a more sustainable path, and unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change.' But a coalition of 21 groups called the Disabled People's Organisation (DPO) Forum has now written an open letter to work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall raising 'serious concerns with the human rights implications' of the consultation process. The letter, signed by Disability Rights UK and Amnesty International, says the DWP has clearly already decided on some of the most substantial policies in the package, going against the Cabinet Office's own rules on consultations. It adds that it is also concerned about its delay in publishing accessible versions of the paper, as well as the possibility that MPs will be voting on the policies without being able to see an analysis of how they will help people into work. 'In short, the consultation is essentially a sham – it removes our rights as Disabled people to take part in civic society,' the signatories say, adding that Labour must 'ensure that all proposals are open to consultation and public scrutiny, and reissue consultation questions which cover all policy proposals within the paper (not just those that DWP have chosen to include).' In January, the High Court found that a consultation on changes welfare health assessments that were proposed by the previous Conservative government were unlawful due to being 'unfair and misleading.' In his judgement, Mr Justice Calver said the eight-week consultation was 'rushed' and 'unfair,' finding it failed to reflect the 'substantial' loss of benefits many claimants would have faced as a result of the planned changes. He added it gave the 'misleading impression' that the plans were about supporting people into work when cutting welfare spending was likely the 'central basis'. Responding to the judgement at the time, Labour said it would 'address its shortcomings' at its own consultation. However, the DPO Forum writes that it notes'striking similarities to this process in the green paper with serious concerns.' A DWP spokesperson said: 'We have set out a sweeping package of reforms to health and disability benefits to make urgent changes so people are genuinely supported into work, while putting the welfare system on a more sustainable footing, so that the safety net is always there to protect those who need it most. 'The publication of all accessible versions triggered the start of the official consultation, providing everyone with 12 weeks to respond. 'We encourage people to engage with the consultation, so a wide range of voices are reflected in the responses we receive.'
The Independent
11-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Labour's welfare cuts consultation called a ‘sham' as PIP changes not up for discussion
The millions of benefit claimants affected by Labour's planned changes to welfare will soon be able to have their say on the controversial package, but with one crucial catch: they aren't allowed to talk about the planned cuts. This is because several of the policies will not be included in the consultation, the Department for Work and Pension's (DWP) 'Pathways to Work' green paper reveals, prompting campaigners and charities to label the process a 'sham'. Amounting to £4.8 billion in welfare cuts, Labour's proposed changes would scale back some of the key health-related entitlements in the UK. The biggest cost-cutting measure in the package are the changes to the personal independence payment (PIP) – claimed by 3.6 million people – which make up 85 per cent of the savings. Alongside this is a freeze to the rate the Universal Credit health element for existing claimants, and the move to nearly halve it for new claimants. But neither of these measures will be included in the DWP's consultation, meaning disabled people will not be asked to discuss the changes at any of the sessions. In total, only half of the 22 policies proposed in the package will be in the scope of the conversations. Those interested in sharing their views have been invited to attend one of 15 in-person or online sessions which will be taking place across the UK for 12 weeks, from April to June. Announcing the start of the consultation on Monday, social security and disability minister, Sir Stephen Timms said: 'We inherited a broken welfare system, which incentivises ill-health, locks people out of work and isn't fit for a future in which so many of us will face long-term health conditions. 'We want a system that genuinely works for disabled people and those with health conditions, as well as the country and the economy, and we want to hear their views and voices at the heart of the new system. 'I encourage people to engage so they can have their say as we listen, learn and deliver support which will help millions into work, put welfare spending on a more sustainable path, and unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change.' But a coalition of 21 groups called the Disabled People's Organisation (DPO) Forum has now written an open letter to work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall raising 'serious concerns with the human rights implications' of the consultation process. The letter, signed by Disability Rights UK and Amnesty International, says the DWP has clearly already decided on some of the most substantial policies in the package, going against the Cabinet Office's own rules on consultations. It adds that it is also concerned about its delay in publishing accessible versions of the paper, as well as the possibility that MPs will be voting on the policies without being able to see an analysis of how they will help people into work. 'In short, the consultation is essentially a sham – it removes our rights as Disabled people to take part in civic society,' the signatories say, adding that Labour must 'ensure that all proposals are open to consultation and public scrutiny, and reissue consultation questions which cover all policy proposals within the paper (not just those that DWP have chosen to include).' In January, the High Court found that a consultation on changes welfare health assessments that were proposed by the previous Conservative government were unlawful due to being 'unfair and misleading.' In his judgement, Mr Justice Calver said the eight-week consultation was 'rushed' and 'unfair,' finding it failed to reflect the 'substantial' loss of benefits many claimants would have faced as a result of the planned changes. He added it gave the 'misleading impression' that the plans were about supporting people into work when cutting welfare spending was likely the 'central basis'. Responding to the judgement at the time, Labour said it would 'address its shortcomings' at its own consultation. However, the DPO Forum writes that it notes'striking similarities to this process in the green paper with serious concerns.' A DWP spokesperson said: 'We have set out a sweeping package of reforms to health and disability benefits to make urgent changes so people are genuinely supported into work, while putting the welfare system on a more sustainable footing, so that the safety net is always there to protect those who need it most. 'The publication of all accessible versions triggered the start of the official consultation, providing everyone with 12 weeks to respond. 'We encourage people to engage with the consultation, so a wide range of voices are reflected in the responses we receive.'
