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<p>We are committed to ensuring that prisoners have sufficient financial support upon
release from custody.</p><p>We have recently explored the current use of the Discharge
Grant. This will help inform future Discharge policy direction, and help to ensure
that Discharge policy contributes to ensuring the immediate basic needs of prisoners
are met when they return to the community. We are currently analysing findings.</p><p>The
purpose of the Discharge Grant is not to provide for all the prisoner’s needs after
release; it is intended solely to assist them in the first few days after release
and before they might reasonably be able to get a job or an appointment at a jobcentre
and/or begin to access state benefits</p><p>We also are working with the Department
for Work and Pensions to improve access to Universal Credit and ensure that they have
the relevant identification documents. Offenders are able to access a DWP Work Coach
prior to release, who can make an appointment as early as the day of release to complete
their claim, and can receive an advance of a full month’s benefit, including the housing
element where appropriate, within hours.</p>
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