Disability News Service: PIP assessor told claimant to ignore her ‘irrelevant’ suicide attempt… then challenged her son to a fight

(Forwarding note by Alan Wheatley: The golden motto of the Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group is: "Never attend anywhere official alone." In the light of the following, it is clear that that should apply especially if it is in one's own home!)

By John Pring on 24th October 2019 Category: Benefits and Poverty

Personal Independence Payment assessor told claimant to ignore her ‘irrelevant’ suicide attempt… then challenged her son to a fight

The assessor then left the front door open and kicked the safety gate that
protects their three dogs off its hinges, damaging the wall of the house (pictured).

A benefits assessor told a disabled woman to ignore “irrelevant” information about a suicide attempt, shoved her son after he was asked to halt the assessment, challenged him to a fight, and then damaged their house as he left.

The shocking incident in Cardiff last week has left Cheryl Matthews terrified that the healthcare professional who carried out her face-to-face personal independence payment (PIP) assessment for the outsourcing giant Capita could return to her home.

As he left the house, the assessor even told her 22-year-old son that he intended to return for a fight.
Capita has confirmed that the assessor has been suspended as a result of the incident, but the company has refused to say if it will now re-examine the other face-to-face assessments he has carried out for the company on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
But within two hours of her lodging her complaint, Capita had already offered her £600 compensation.

South Wales police is now investigating allegations of criminal damage by the PIP assessor.
Matthews, who works as a customer service agent and has several long-term health conditions, including one that could cause a fatal aneurysm if she becomes anxious, has struggled to sleep since the incident last Wednesday.

She already receives the PIP standard rates for daily living and mobility, but she had requested a new assessment after her health worsened in recent months....

More at
https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/pip-assessor-told-claimant-to-ignore-her-irrelevant-suicide-attempt-then-challenged-her-son-to-a-fight/
 

Universal Credit changes October 2019: When it gets paid, how it affects you and how much you'll get

From Manchester Evening News:

Universal credit changes: When it gets paid, how it will affect you and how much you'll get

Universal credit changes next month - here's everything you need to know

By

Rachel PughMoney-Saving & Consumer Writer

• 16:52, 12 SEP 2019

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that Universal Credit will change from October 2.

The changes were announced in the budget, and will see the repayment cap lowered from the 40 per cent maximum, down to 30pc. This means that some claimants will be able to keep more of their money, as the DWP will be able to deduct less from benefit payments to pay back rent arrears, advanced payments or sanctions.

Those who are currently being charged 40pc will receive more money from October.

More at 

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/when-is-universal-credit-paid-16908948

including:

• What is Universal Credit?
• Who can claim Universal Credit?
• What Universal Credit is replacing
• When will Universal Credit get paid into my bank account? — and how that varies from bank brand to bank brand!
• What happens if my Universal Credit payment day lands on a Bank Holiday or weekend?
• How much Universal Credit will I get?

The article tails off with:

The official government website suggests using one of the following:

• Policy in Practice
• entitledto
• Turn2us

For more detailed information on Universal Credit, you can contact Citizen's Advice here.

 This blog editor advises that claimants go to all interviews with a friend if possible, and that includes Citizens Advice interviews. (The golden motto of Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group is: Never attend anywhere official alone.) This is now especially important when obtaining Universal Credit-related information, advice and guidance from Citizens Advice, as can be gleaned from the implications of a Disability News Service article:

Citizens Advice signed gagging clause in return for share of £51m from DWP

By John Pring on 15th August 2019 Category: Benefits and Poverty

Two charities that will receive £51 million in government funding to provide advice and support to claimants of universal credit (UC) signed gagging clauses that prevent them bringing the Department for Work and Pensions “unfairly” into “disrepute”.

Both Citizens Advice (CA) and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) signed grant agreements with Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – worth a total of £51 million – that include the same clause....

More at https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/citizens-advice-signed-gagging-clause-in-return-for-share-of-51m-from-dwp/

Alan Wheatley