Coronavirus Financial Help & Rights

FACE-TO-FACE ASSESSMENTS SUSPENDED
The DWP have announced the suspension of all PIP, ESA and UC face-to-face assessments for three months, from Tuesday 17 March.
Anyone who had a face-to-face assessment appointment scheduled from Tuesday 17 March onwards does not need to attend.
You should be contacted by IAS (Atos), Capita or Maximus to discuss next steps and alternative arrangements.
This may mean your claim will be assessed just on whatever paperwork is available.
In some cases the assessment provider might also carry out a telephone assessment.
This may take the form of supplementary questions where there is not enough information in the paperwork.
We’d be interested to hear from anyone who goes through this process.

MOST APPEALS TO BE PAPER ONLY FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS
Tribunal judges have been given the power to sit alone and to make decisions about PIP, ESA, UC and DLA appeals just on the papers.
Under the new powers, a tribunal judge can make a provisional decision just on the paperwork where they believe a successful outcome for the claimant is highly likely.
Once a provisional decision is made both you and the DWP will be asked if you agree with that decision.
If you both do, it will become a final decision.
If either you or the DWP are not happy, you can still insist that the case goes to a full hearing.
If a full hearing is required, wherever possible it will be done ‘remotely’. This may mean by video link or telephone conferencing.
One concern about this system is that when a provisional decision is made by a judge, some claimants may feel under a great deal of pressure to accept the award, even if it is not as high as they think they should get.
Again, we would like to hear from members going through this process.

PIP AWARDS EXTENDED, BENEFITS REVIEWS AND REASSESSMENTS SUSPENDED
In a welcome move, the DWP have announced that there will be no new reviews or reassessments of benefits for three months from Tuesday 24 March.
Benefits affected include:

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

  • Universal Credit (UC)

  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

  • Attendance Allowance (AA)
Where an assessment has already taken place for PIP, the decision making process will continue.
Where you already have an assessment scheduled, the assessment provider should contact you to explain whether a paper or telephone assessment will take place.
If your PIP award is due to end, it will be extended.
 
Don't stress about gas / electricity.

Phone them if you have a prepay meter tell them your self isolating and they will send you out 2 weeks worth of gas / electricity or if you have a smart meter they will top you up.

BRITISH GAS 0333 202 9802

EDF 0333 200 5100
EON 0345 052 000
N POWER 0800 073 3000
SCOTTISH POWER 0800 027 0072
SSE 0345 026 2658
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
Leicester City charged with FFP breach
Replies
0
Views
109
Oggiman
O
H
gigablue 800 uhd ue 4k box oscam help.
Replies
0
Views
84
hogman1012
H
O
    • Wow
PlayStation won’t release any major PS5 first-party games before March 2025
Replies
0
Views
138
Oggiman
O
Trabbs
Amazon Fire TV Help please - Firestick setup?
Replies
9
Views
259
Trabbs
Trabbs
O
DAZN removes paywall for all women's football matches including Champions League
Replies
0
Views
162
Oggiman
O
Back
Top