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<p>This Government is committed to supporting vulnerable claimants, such as those
with mental health conditions or experiencing homelessness. We understand that these
claimants may face extra challenges in their lives. Universal Credit is designed to
target resources at those that need them most and to provide support for people who
cannot work or need help moving towards the labour market.</p><p>We recognise the
importance of understanding how a mental health condition impacts someone’s ability
to prepare for and look for work. That is why we have developed a range of specialised
mental health training for work coaches and increased the number of Disability Employment
Advisers who can provide additional support where needed. Furthermore, we have a number
of Community Partners recruited specifically for their expertise in mental health
issues, that can provide advice that is often based on lived experience.</p><p>In
the case of homeless claimants, it is our priority to ensure that people experiencing
homelessness get the appropriate support they need to improve their lives and move
into work. For example, we are able to put job-seeking requirements on hold temporarily
whilst claimants find accommodation or stabilise their housing situation, as well
as priority access to the Work and Health Programme.</p><p>We are supporting the manifesto
commitment to halve rough sleeping by 2022 and eradicate it altogether by 2027 through
the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Reduction Taskforce, and commitments set out in
the recent Rough Sleeping Strategy. Furthermore, work coaches in England are legally
bound to offer a voluntary referral to claimants they consider may be homeless or
threatened with homelessness to a Local Housing Authority of the claimant’s choice.</p><p>
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