New benefit system

[enaid]

Just heard on the tv that the new system on benefits will mean you can only claim online.
Well after all the things said about the elderly and the fact they are not claiming what they are entitled to, then I suspect this be yet another nail in their coffin on that subject.
It was said that Age UK and the CAB will be available to help with claiming, well I actually know Age UK is a great charity, I also know that the CAB could not cope with the influx of queries on the 'We know you are fit enough to work' charade.
These people really do need to get out and about more and in the real world.

[leclerc]

Re: New benefit system

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/20...efit-claimants

Article in The Guardian last month....

[leclerc]

Re: New benefit system

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare...versal-credit/

It is not necessarily going to affect the elderly based on the specifics but may affect low income families who are without internet access.


EDIT: scrap that, if affects Housing Benefit which is something the elderly claims.

[john 1963]

Re: New benefit system

totally wrong, why does this government continue treating people like this

[enaid]

Re: New benefit system

Well suppose the younger ones who may understand about tinternet could pop down to their local library and use their facilities
oops they closed it down.

[leclerc]

Re: New benefit system

This might be a clip from about 30 years ago but the real reason is in the message

[Eloise01]

Re: New benefit system

There is provision within the regulations for both telephone and face-to-face claims being made via the DWP. The regulations actually say that the default claim process is online, i.e that it is expected that most people will claim in this way, but that this is not the only way in which claims can be made. What is needed is sufficient publicity about alternative application processes for people without internet access or IT skills.

None of which is intended to suggest that I think the universal credit as it stands is a good idea, but good idea or not, it is here, and the primary concern right now should be ensuring that people know how to make claims - however they do that.

[FlamingParrot]

Re: New benefit system

Well suppose the younger ones who may understand about tinternet could pop down to their local library and use their facilities
oops they closed it down.

Uhmmm, the young ones are not the only ones who understand the internet, some of us who are only young at heart, earn a crust from the internet! :nerd: :nerd: :nerd:

There is provision within the regulations for both telephone and face-to-face claims being made via the DWP. The regulations actually say that the default claim process is online, i.e that it is expected that most people will claim in this way, but that this is not the only way in which claims can be made. What is needed is sufficient publicity about alternative application processes for people without internet access or IT skills.

None of which is intended to suggest that I think the universal credit as it stands is a good idea, but good idea or not, it is here, and the primary concern right now should be ensuring that people know how to make claims - however they do that.

Last time I claimed (in 2009), I had to do all three:

1. Filled in a form online.
2. Had a telephone 'interview' a few days later, to go through all the items on the form, which lasted nearly an hour.
3. Had an appointment at the JC on another date, to go through the same thing face-to-face with an adviser, which also lasted around an hour.

It was much easier the previous time (2003) when I just picked up a form at the JC, filled it in and returned it.

[enaid]

Re: New benefit system

Uhmmm, the young ones are not the only ones who understand the internet, some of us who are only young at heart, earn a crust from the internet!


Wasn't having a go at the elderly who can use the internet. As said in my post, on tv it was stated claims had to be made on line. Some unfortunate elderly folk are not receiving what they are entitled to already without making it harder for them to claim, that was my point.

[enquirer]

Re: New benefit system

totally wrong, why does this government continue treating people like this

Because the turkeys always vote for Christmas.

[enaid]

Re: New benefit system

This from the Wigan Council website as they are a pilot for Universal Credits.
I suppose I totally wrong to think that there will be quite a few rent arrears and quite a few bank charge profits for our good old friendly banks.
Maybe a few extra jobs for the nice bailiffs too.
Am I being too cynical do you reckon lol?

Universal Credit will bring together a range of working age benefits into a single payment. Wigan Council is both a pathfinder and a pilot authority for Universal Credit.



What is changing?

Universal Credit will bring together a range of working age benefits into a single payment. Wigan Council is both a pathfinder and a pilot authority for Universal Credit. This means that some applications will be accepted from April 2013 in Wigan. For most of the country the first applications will be accepted in October 2013 and it’s expected that all working age claimants will have moved to the new scheme by October 2017.
The following benefits will be abolished and replaced by Universal Credit:

• Income Support
• Income Related Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income Related Employment Support Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit

Disability Living Allowance will not be part of the Universal Credit but will be replaced with Personal Independence Payments instead.
Benefits that won’t be affected by the Universal Credit are:

• Attendance Allowance
• Bereavement Benefits
• Carer's Allowance
• Child Benefit
• Contributory Employment and Support Allowance
• Contributory Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Council Tax Benefit (Council Tax Support from April 2013)
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Maternity Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Statutory Maternity Pay
• Statutory Sick Pay
• War Pensions

Who will be affected?

If you receive Housing Benefit or any one the other 6 benefits affected, then you will move onto Universal Credit. Your claim will then be managed by the Department for Work and Pensions and not by the Local Authority.
What are the main changes?

Your Universal Credit (which includes your housing benefit) will be paid directly to you each month in arrears instead of being paid to your landlord. You will need to start paying the total amount of your rent directly to your landlord yourself.
If you don't have a bank account already, you might want to consider opening a basic bank account. Basic bank accounts are the simplest type of bank account. They are designed for people who don’t want an overdraft, or can’t have one. They can be useful if you need a way to receive benefit payments, wages, pay direct debits or just want to control your spending.

[enaid]

Re: New benefit system

This seems to be a disaster already, but I guess I had an idea it would be


The government is to scale back some of its plans to test a radical new reform to the welfare system.
Ministers planned to allow people to claim the new Universal Credit in four areas of north-west England from April.
But it has emerged that three of the pilots will not start until July.
The government said this would allow "safe and controlled" testing but Labour said the Universal Credit was "on the edge of disaster" because IT systems needed for it were not ready.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21972026

[iantgotaname]

Re: New benefit system

First suicide over the bedroom tax near me?