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1185279
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-03-16more like thismore than 2020-03-16
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions remove filter
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what alternative arrangements will be made available for benefit claimants who are unable to attend face to face meetings. more like this
tabling member constituency Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle more like this
tabling member printed
Emma Hardy more like this
uin 30017 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction true more like this
date of answer less than 2020-03-24more like thismore than 2020-03-24
answer text <p><del class="ministerial">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 no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We are doing all we can to keep our Jobcentres and service centres operational, but as of 24th March, Jobcentres are only offering face-to-face appointments – conducted in accordance with PHE guidelines on social distancing - for the small number of claimants who would otherwise not be able to receive support. This helps us to continue to deliver our critical services whilst keeping our customers and staff safe.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">From 17th March, we suspended all face-to-face assessments for health and disability benefits. For existing claimants, we have automatically extended awards and suspended any new review or reassessment activity, except where claimants notify us of changes to their needs that may result in an increase to their award. This temporary measure is being taken to ensure the Department’s resources are focused on providing access to financial support for new claimants, and it will also reassure claimants about continuity of their benefit during the coronavirus outbreak.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We have also taken the decision to temporarily suspend the requirement for face-to-face Jobcentre Plus appointments for all claimants in Universal Credit, Job Seekers’ Allowance (JSA), Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Income Support. This means that claimants are not expected to contact their Jobcentre Plus while this temporary suspension is in place. They will continue to receive benefits as normal and they will not be sanctioned for not taking part in interviews with Jobcentres.</ins></p>
answering member constituency Mid Sussex more like this
answering member printed Mims Davies more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-03-24T12:25:33.83Zmore like thismore than 2020-03-24T12:25:33.83Z
question first ministerially corrected
less than 2020-04-15T15:00:37.937Zmore like thismore than 2020-04-15T15:00:37.937Z
answering member
4513
label Biography information for Mims Davies more like this
previous answer version
14243
answering member constituency Mid Sussex more like this
answering member printed Mims Davies more like this
answering member
4513
label Biography information for Mims Davies more like this
tabling member
4645
label Biography information for Emma Hardy more like this