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1225384

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Housing Benefit: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Housing Benefit claimants who (1) are currently self-isolating or shielding from COVID-19, and (2) are temporarily absent from their main dwelling within the UK and who intend to return when medically safe to do so, (a) have been granted extensions for a temporary absence from home for 52 weeks, and (b) have had applications for extension on medical grounds rejected, in the last six months.
tabling member printed	Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
uin	HL6886
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2020 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) continues to support existing benefit recipients in exceptional cases where their absence from home goes over the period allowed under the temporary absence benefit rules as they are self-isolating due to COVID-19.</p><p> </p><p>Although the DWP has overall responsibility for the Housing Benefit scheme and its funding, local authorities have the statutory responsibility for its day-to-day administration. This includes the assessment of individual claims for benefit. Although local authority staff will keep a record on individual claims when a claimant is absent from home, this information isn’t recorded centrally.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott grouped question UIN HL6887 HL6888 question first answered 29/07/2020 16:02:16 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	635 label Biography information for Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope

1225385

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance is given to those making decisions on applications by Universal Credit claimants for a temporary absence from home on medical grounds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
uin	HL6887
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2020 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) continues to support existing benefit recipients in exceptional cases where their absence from home goes over the period allowed under the temporary absence benefit rules as they are self-isolating due to COVID-19.</p><p> </p><p>Although the DWP has overall responsibility for the Housing Benefit scheme and its funding, local authorities have the statutory responsibility for its day-to-day administration. This includes the assessment of individual claims for benefit. Although local authority staff will keep a record on individual claims when a claimant is absent from home, this information isn’t recorded centrally.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott grouped question UIN HL6886 HL6888 question first answered 29/07/2020 16:02:16 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	635 label Biography information for Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope

1225386

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Housing Benefit and Universal Credit: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the effectiveness of (1) the process for applying for, and (2) the application of the policy for, temporary absences from home on medical grounds for (a) Housing Benefit, and (b) Universal Credit, claimants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
uin	HL6888
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2020 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) continues to support existing benefit recipients in exceptional cases where their absence from home goes over the period allowed under the temporary absence benefit rules as they are self-isolating due to COVID-19.</p><p> </p><p>Although the DWP has overall responsibility for the Housing Benefit scheme and its funding, local authorities have the statutory responsibility for its day-to-day administration. This includes the assessment of individual claims for benefit. Although local authority staff will keep a record on individual claims when a claimant is absent from home, this information isn’t recorded centrally.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott grouped question UIN HL6886 HL6887 question first answered 29/07/2020 16:02:16 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	635 label Biography information for Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope

1187630

registered interest
date	24/03/2020
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Department for Work and Pensions: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to redeploying those health professionals currently under contract to the Department for Work and Pensions and employed by the assessment provider companies Maximus, Capita and Atos to roles within the NHS to assist with the effort to resist the spread of COVID-19.
tabling member printed	Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
uin	HL2868
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2020 answer text <p>We are working closely with the Department for Health and Social Care to consider how best to support the NHS during this period whilst ensuring that we can continue to provide financial support to claimants through the benefit system. We welcome our Providers’ continued support and flexibility during this period<em>. </em></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 01/04/2020 10:08:41 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	635 label Biography information for Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope

1187631

registered interest
date	24/03/2020
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Disability
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Department for Work and Pensions assessors are currently tasked with carrying out telephone assessments for eligibility to disability benefits.
tabling member printed	Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
uin	HL2869
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2020 answer text <p>The information requested is not held. Health Professionals in addition to conducting telephone assessments, can undertake a range of other duties commensurate with their training, for example, scrutiny, quality audit and training.</p><p>The Government announced on 16 March 2020 that all face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits will be suspended. The temporary move, effective from 17 March 2020, is being taken as a precautionary measure to protect vulnerable people from unnecessary risk of exposure to coronavirus as the country's response ramps up in the 'delay' phase. We will ensure those who are entitled to a benefit continue to receive support, and that new claimants are able to access the safety net.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 01/04/2020 10:10:03 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	635 label Biography information for Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope

1187632

registered interest
date	24/03/2020
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a temporary passporting system to move people on to disability benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
uin	HL2870
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2020 answer text <p>As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that everyone should be supported to do the right thing.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 01/04/2020 10:08:03 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	635 label Biography information for Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope

916580

registered interest
date	04/06/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide standalone training modules for Jobcentre Plus staff to enable them to deal with applications for Universal Credit from victims of physical or mental domestic abuse.
tabling member printed	Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
uin	HL8286
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/06/2018 answer text <p>In supporting victims of domestic violence, the Jobcentre offers a range of support open to survivors and those still experiencing domestic abuse.</p><p> </p><p>Work Coaches delivering Universal Credit undergo a comprehensive learning journey designed to equip them with the tools, skills and behaviours required to provide a high quality service to all claimants. Specific training and guidance is provided for working with different vulnerable groups, including people who have been the victims of domestic violence.</p><p> </p><p>Work Coaches will signpost claimants to national and local organisations who can provide specialist support and apply the domestic violence easement, switching off all work-related requirements for a period of time.</p><p> </p><p>A national call was held recently to raise awareness and understanding of domestic abuse across the Jobcentre network and a video has been produced to highlight good practice when supporting individuals who have been or are currently in a domestic abuse relationship.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 13/06/2018 15:57:04 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	635 label Biography information for Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope

916581

registered interest
date	04/06/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Universal Credit applicants in full service areas have been allowed conditionality easements to date as a result of reported domestic abuse.
tabling member printed	Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
uin	HL8287
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/06/2018 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>When a claimant reports domestic abuse to the Jobcentre Plus we will review their conditionality requirements, and provide easements where appropriate.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 13/06/2018 15:57:27 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	635 label Biography information for Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope

916582

registered interest
date	04/06/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Universal Credit applicants in full service areas have been allowed split payments of benefit to date as a result of reported domestic abuse.
tabling member printed	Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
uin	HL8288
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/06/2018 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>DWP will support a claimant to put in place a split payment where they have requested it as a result of domestic violence.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 13/06/2018 15:55:56 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	635 label Biography information for Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope

916583

registered interest
date	04/06/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Jobcentre Plus offices in Universal Credit full service areas have dedicated facilities for use as private interview suites when interviewing applicants who report domestic abuse.
tabling member printed	Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
uin	HL8289
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/06/2018 answer text <p>The vast majority of Jobcentres delivering Universal Credit full service have private interview facilities as standard. In the small number of offices where they are not available we are able to make arrangements for customers at nearby offices which do have rooms, or arrange for a home visit to be made where it is appropriate to do so.</p><p> </p><p>We always endeavour to deal with vulnerable claimants sensitively, taking into account the particular circumstances and individual needs of the customers.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 13/06/2018 15:55:14 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	635 label Biography information for Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope