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<p><del class="ministerial">Since August 2017 we have been focussing on more proactive
case management to reduce delays and speed up the clearance of mandatory reconsiderations
for personal independence payment. A similar exercise for mandatory reconsiderations
for employment and support allowance has started, looking at the entire journey from
when the customer first challenges the Department’s decision, from which we expect
to be able to identify opportunities to reduce delays in the current process and speed
up clearance of mandatory reconsiderations.</del></p><p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">The
median monthly clearance time for employment and support allowance mandatory reconsiderations
in July 2017 was 13 days, 1 day less than in April 2017. However it is important that
sufficient time is allowed for customers to provide any additional evidence that will
help to support their case. Accordingly there is no target time for clearing mandatory
reconsiderations – each is done without delay, but based on its merits.</del></p><p>
</p><p><ins class="ministerial"> <p><ins class="ministerial">If a JSA claimant’s health
deteriorates, and the period of sickness is expected to exceed 13 weeks, a claim should
be made to ESA or Universal Credit (UC) in relevant geographical areas.</ins></p><p><ins
class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">In this instance the claimant
would need to close their JSA claim and make a new claim to ESA. ESA can be claimed
immediately following the closure of a JSA claim and, provided the claim to ESA was
made within 12 weeks of closing their JSA claim, the claimant would not have to serve
waiting days.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">There
are no transitional arrangements between the benefits however, the aim is for there
to be no unnecessary interruption of funds to the individual. Where a claimant is
in urgent financial need whilst their ESA claim is being processed, they can apply
for additional support in the form of an advance on their first payment, known as
a “short term benefit advance”, or a hardship payment. The claimant will receive a
benefit advance payment on the same or next working day.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">
</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">If the JSA claimant’s period of sickness is
likely to be for less than 13 weeks (referred to as an Extended Period of Sickness
(EPS)), the claimant may choose to remain in receipt of JSA rather than claiming ESA/UC.
If they choose to do this, they will receive the same amount of JSA benefit.</ins></p><p><ins
class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">To qualify for an EPS the
claimant must not be fit for any work and this will be determined based on the medical
evidence supplied. During this period the claimant will be treated as being available
for work, and the Work Coach will tailor the conditionality requirements on their
Claimant Commitment, taking into account the claimant’s health condition.</ins></p><p><ins
class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">An EPS can only be declared
for one continuous period of sickness of 13 weeks or less in any 12 month period calculated
from the start of the period of sickness. Once it is clear the period of sickness
will last for 13 weeks or more, the claimant will be advised to make a claim to ESA
or UC.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">In
areas where UC Full Service is in place, the claimant will be advised to claim UC
rather than ESA.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">One
of the policy designs of Universal Credit is that it removes the need for claimants
to switch between different benefits as their circumstances change, simplifying the
system and ensuring continuity for claimants.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">
</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">As stated, there are no transitional arrangements
for UC. Where a claimant advises they cannot manage financially until their pay day
(UC is paid monthly, unlike JSA and ESA which are fortnightly), an advance can be
made. This advance is recoverable from further payments of UC, at a rate agreed between
the claimant and the Work Coach.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins
class="ministerial">Universal Credit is a much simpler system with clearer rules and
clearer rates. It has an easy to use online account, where claimants can report changes
of circumstance in real time. UC Support for disabled people under UC reflects two
core components of the old ESA system, ensuring that more severely disabled people
benefit from higher payments.</ins></p></ins></p><p> </p>
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