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<p>On legacy benefits when we identify a customer is vulnerable every endeavour is
made to contact the claimant or their appointee, discuss and explain the high value
payment we intend to issue and identify if they have any concerns over receiving such
an amount of money. As part of this process both from the conversation and the earlier
information we had available we would encourage using split or phased payments if
we viewed a risk in making one large payment to the claimant. If we cannot make contact,
we will refer to our visiting team to make attempts to visit them at home and have
those conversations. On Universal Credit, vulnerability is dealt with on a case-by-case
basis so that the necessary support can be given to claimants.</p><p> </p><p>Current
payment regulations only permit us to restrict amounts of payments with a claimant’s
consent. If we did not feel that claimant was able to manage their affairs, or make
that decision for themselves, we would then consider if an appointee was appropriate.</p><p>
</p><p>The Department is currently working to enhance safeguarding procedures across
all benefit products to help staff to identify claimants who may need additional support
because their circumstances make them vulnerable. A multi-disciplinary working group
is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the processes and procedures we
have in place across DWP to identify and support vulnerable claimants who are entitled
to backdated payments of benefits. This will include sharing best practice from legacy
processes and exploring what more we can do to ensure vulnerable claimants in this
situation are given access to the support they need, and developing a proposal for
the implementation of these improvements. This will ensure that the Department will
be able to fully support the eligible claimants on Universal Credit who will be entitled
to a Severe Disability Premium transitional payment.</p>
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