Coronavirus-hit benefit claimants urged to contact DWP to avoid sanction

important info stickied for this reason

Coronavirus-hit benefit claimants urged to contact DWP to avoid sanction

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/dwp-urge-coronavirus-hit-benefit-21617489

https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/1249970/universal-credit-coronavirus-uk-sanction-dwp-cases-news

Some people may wonder what needing to self-isolate could mean for benefits payments.

Universal Credit recipients must agree to a Claimant Commitment with their work coach in order to receive the payment, and for most claimants, this can include the requirement to fulfil a set number of hours of paid work or job searching.

Just to be on the safe side, for those able to access a computer, it might be an idea to pop a note in UCj to say that you have been advised, by a medical professional / 111 call handler, to self isolate for a period of 14 days starting on the date the message is posted and ending on the date of 14 calendar days later. Take a screen grab in case of any further issues down the line.

I would expect that frontline DWP workers would be very appreciative of claimants taking responsibility instead of attending the JC and potentially passing on illness to others

Admin wrote:

Some people may wonder what needing to self-isolate could mean for benefits payments.

Universal Credit recipients must agree to a Claimant Commitment with their work coach in order to receive the payment, and for most claimants, this can include the requirement to fulfil a set number of hours of paid work or job searching.

I was wondering if the if there was any regulations, that in the event of a health problem/hazard the 'Claimant Commitment' could be over written. As you could see problem if the claimant has a choice between attending the JCP ill or losing money/eviction. They are likely to choose the former and attending the appointment. So much for 'self isolation' advice.  


https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/

oh I admit it if i caught it

id love to go into the jobcenter and give all the advisors it

if they die from it thats there tough luck

but there is some good ones in there that i wouldnt want them to catch it but the rest nah

If in any doubt, ask the WC for clear (written) guidance via UCj.

It will be good to hear what they have to say, as according to the BBC news "Workers will get statutory sick pay from the first day off work, not the fourth, to help contain coronavirus, the prime minister has said.". Will the same rules be given to claimants???   Or do you recon it will be an excuse for some of euthanasia from the JCP.  



https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/coronavirus_covid_19_customers#incoming-1541310

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51738837

I found an article on a similar strain, sorry vein I couldnt help myself there...

https://welfareweekly.com/coronavirus-calls-for-emergency-legislation-to-protect-universal-credit-claimants/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+welfareweekly1+%28Welfare+Weekly%29