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<p>The Government recognises that the income of many separated parents is being impacted
by the public health emergency and some receiving parents may receive less maintenance
as a result of a paying parent’s drop in income.</p><p> </p><p>No one should use this
time as an excuse to avoid their child maintenance payments however where parents
experience a change in income, we can review their case and check if the amount paid
should change and they may be eligible for Universal Credit, contributory JSA or ESA.</p><p>
</p><p>The Government has been clear in its commitment to support those, including
both paying and receiving parents, whose income drops as a result of the public health
emergency and we have made a number changes to the welfare system to ensure people
are receiving the support they need. These include increasing the standard rate of
Universal Credit and working tax credit for this year by around £1000 per year. People
who need money urgently continue to be able to access up to a month’s Universal Credit
advance upfront by applying online. In addition, Statutory Sick Pay now applies from
day one, rather than the fourth day of illness. We are increasing the Local Housing
Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers
the cheapest third of local rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets.</p><p>
</p><p>Taken together, these measures represent an injection of over £6.5 billion
into the welfare system and, along with the other job and business support programmes
announced by the Chancellor, represent one of the most comprehensive packages of support
introduced by an advanced economy in response to the coronavirus outbreak.</p>
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