Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

I watched it, hence my comments in post #2622.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Discredited firms poised to rake in more than one billion pounds from new PIP contracts:

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.co...pip-contracts/

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

DWP suspends face-to-face sickness and disability benefit assessments.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politi...-face-21698775

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

A sensible idea from them for once.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Just received this:


Dear IAS Stakeholder

In light of the current Coronavirus outbreak, we are working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to protect the health and safety of claimants and our staff.

As you may be aware, DWP has temporarily suspended all face-to-face consultations for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from today as a precautionary measure. This is aimed at reducing the risk of exposure to Coronavirus. However, alternative arrangements will be implemented to support claimants during this challenging time. These include the ongoing use of Paper Based Reports (PBRs) and the introduction of telephone assessments.

The department has confirmed that it will continue to accept all new claims. For those individuals already receiving PIP, they will continue to receive their current payments as normal.

For more information on this recent development, please visit the DWP website. We will also provide key updates on our website.

Best Regards

PIP Claimant Champion

---------- Post added at 08:43 ---------- Previous post was at 07:18 ----------

Anyone who is self employed or who has had to close their business due to the pandemic can now call HMRC on 0300 456 3565 for advice on tax and any benefits available to them.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

https://www.understandinguniversalcr...-vD-msuAAbHzOY A guide to Universal Credit for those who need to claim. This benefit does not pay anything for people to live on or help with rent & mortgage payments for at least the first five weeks. CLAIM AS SOON AS YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE LAID OFF, HAVE TO CLOSE YOUR BUSINESS OR ARE MADE REDUNDANT. This is because you do not get paid for the first week and the following four weeks are paid in arrears. This may be even longer if you receive any outstanding wages or receive a tax refund. The seven days starts from the date you claim, so claiming straight away gets the clock ticking. If you cannot manage during the waiting period, you are entitled to ask for an interest free loan that they will claw back from your ongoing payments.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

The Department for Work and Pensions is expected to announce later today that it is suspending welfare conditionality rules, including for universal credit, to ensure that benefit payments are not interrupted and to ease pressure on job centres.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...own-by-weekend

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

I hope that this includes lifting current sanctions for those affected.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Interesting ideas floating around about a Universal payment and Coronavirus.

People are going out to work because they don't want to get poorer. Considering 'money' is a human construct the challenge is finding a way to peg what someone has now for 4-6 weeks and let them come out the other side in roughly the same position they are in now.

As the stock exchange falls, the pound falls and recession is imminent. What's really the cheaper option?

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

I think they'll have to think about a UI with automation round the corner, this might just push it forward. The Conservative Government might do it as, to their credit, they've dumped political dogma and are now effectively carrying out left wing policis and not leaving things for the market to decide.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

They're only applying this because of the failures of capitalism. It can't get itself out of slumps. The end game is still to ride the crest of the wave of the free market economics once it recovers (essentially at the expense of the taxpayer.

It needs intervention on a huge scale (see 2008) to do so.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

The Department for Work and Pensions has suspended all disability reviews and assessments for three months, and is to hire 1,5000 new staff to deal with a surge of new claims for benefits.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...lockdown-rules

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

2020 is starting to feel like Jeremy Corbyn has won the election! Not sure what policies I would be offering up now as a Labour leader, apart from maybe jailing people like Tim Martin (Wetherspoons boss)!

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Aye, he's spending more than Corbyn wanted to that's for sure!

***IMPORTANT***

Those who are extremely vulnerable to the coronavirus and who have no friends/family/neighbours/carers to help them are asked to register here for food parcels etc. from the Government:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extre...IB9-HUM14yLn7w

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

A bit of context, folks. Jezza would have happily run up a massive and unsustainable state spending bill in ordinary times, rather than waiting for a massive pandemic crisis that demands an exceptional response. Personally I think the UK has dodged a massive bullet by not having him in charge right now.