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<p>Individuals living with disabilities will benefit from the substantial financial
support provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the Coronavirus Job Retention
Scheme (CJRS), which has been extended until the end of April 2021. It is up to the
employer to make the best decision for their organisation and their employees about
whether to furlough staff. Standard discrimination law applies: an employer cannot
decide who should be furloughed based on any protected characteristic. However, if
people with a protected characteristic disproportionately request furlough, it is
acceptable that furloughs would be disproportionately weighted towards that group.
It is acceptable – indeed encouraged – to consult on the process with employees.</p><p>The
Government recognises the challenges presented by COVID-19 for all those who are living
with a disability and are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV). CEV individuals can
access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income
Support Scheme (SEISS), both of which can both be claimed during lockdown.</p><p>The
Government’s support package during the pandemic sits alongside a substantial set
of welfare support for individuals with disabilities. The Government will spend over
£55 billion in 2020/21 on benefits to support disabled people and people with health
conditions. The Personal Independence Payment remains the primary means of support
to help with some of the extra cost of long-term ill-health or disability. Universal
Credit and new style Employment and Support Allowance are available for those who
have a disability or health condition that may affect how much they can work. <br>
<br> The Government has implemented a range of measures to make access to disability
benefits easier and to protect existing claimants during the current situation. This
includes temporarily suspending face to face assessments.</p>
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