Latest Information on Benefits.

[Sapphire36]

Latest DWP news from their press office.

Reviews and reassessments for disability benefits are being suspended for the next three months.

From:Department for Work and Pensions and The Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP

This temporary measure, effective from Tuesday 24 March, is being taken to reassure vulnerable people about the continuity of their benefits during the coronavirus outbreak and to ensure the Department’s resources are focused on enabling access to financial support for new claimants. This follows on from a previous announcement to suspend all face-to-face assessments in order to safeguard potentially vulnerable claimants.

Information for claimants

what this means for you:

there will be no new reviews or reassessments across all benefits for three months – this includes Universal Credit (UC), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits have been suspended for the next 3 months including for any new claims.PIP claimants, if an assessment has already taken place this will continue to be processed.

If an assessment has been scheduled, claimants will be contacted by the assessment provider to discuss how this will be taken forward.ESA and UC claimants whose cases have been referred to the provider will be contacted to take this forward.Additional information

about the suspension of reviews and assessments:

the suspension will be kept under regular review and extended if necessary.if people experience a change in their needs they are still encouraged to contact the Department to ensure they are receiving the correct level of support.where awards are due to expire, we will be extending end-dates so that claimants continue to receive financial support at their current rate during this period.

On Thursday (19 March) it was also announced people receiving benefits do not have to attend jobcentre appointments for at least 3 months. People will continue to receive their benefits as normal, but all requirements to attend the jobcentre appointments in person are suspended.

People can still make applications for benefits online if they are eligible. Jobcentres remain open, and will continue to support people who are not able to use phones and online, including homeless people.

Press release

Claimants are asked to apply online as jobcentres limit access

People are being urged to use online services before turning to the telephone for help with their benefit claim as staff are being moved to processing new claims.

gov.uk/…/claimants-are-aske...

[hen-house]

Hi this is very interesting thank you for posting but my brain is all in a tizwaz with whats going on - i was waiting for a date for my PIP f2f and i understand that they have suspended the f2f but they was going to be conducting them on either phone or paper so that us new PIP claimants at least get dealt with, is this still going to be the case i wonder as i have been trying to phone them for a week! xx

[Pbyllis]

Thanks great to know .🌷

[bigalan]

Hi Sapphire36, That's good to know, Thank you.

[Howe2]

Thank you for this information. My PIP runs out end of August. Had my review letter, filled it in but not had a message to say they have received it.

[Sapphire36 in reply to Howe2]

From what I understand all claims will continue to run until further notice. This should mean your Pip will continue until they get around to sorting out your claim. I am not an expert but I have been following experts in benefits and this is how they have explained it. Hope this helps.

[Howe2 in reply to Sapphire36]

Thank you. Do you know what to do about blue badge mine runs out at the end of August, that's when my pip runs out. I got my badge through my pip results for mobility.