Monthly Newsletter benefitsandwork.co.uk

Kennyeth · 27th July 2016, 12:07

Monthly Newsletter from the above, read online at:
http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay....6%2Bnewsletter

Dear kennyeth,
This will be the last newsletter before we take our summer break. So this will also be the last discount coupon for some time.
The next newsletter will be out on 14 September.
We won’t be idle over the summer though.
We’re working on updated ESA guides, which will also include information about universal credit.
We’re also updating our PIP guides to include all the latest case law, which is being created in ever increasing quantities because PIP was so hastily and badly drafted in the rush to begin cutting the benefits bill.
NEW PIP FORM
Back to the present though and we have news of a new PIP form, the Award Review (AR1) form. This is now being issued when a PIP award is due for renewal or where there is a change in a claimant’s condition or circumstances.
The new form is just 12 pages long and the DWP claim that it will save many claimants from having to complete the lengthy ‘How your disability affects you’ form or have an assessment when their time-limited award is due to run out.
Members can download a sample copy of the new form and we’ll be including information on how to complete it in the next update of our claiming PIP guide.
SNOOPING PHONE APP
In our last newsletter we warned readers about the possibility of prepaid benefits cards being introduced for some claimants.
We have now learnt that the DWP is also trialling a new phone app, based on bitcoin software, as a way of paying benefits. A former member of the Government Digital Service has warned that the technology could be used to monitor benefit spending and force claimants to only spend their benefits on approved items.
DLA/PIP OVERPAYMENTS
But before the DWP starts experimenting with bitcoin software and phone apps, many claimants would argue that they ought to make sure they can get the basics right. Like paying the correct amount of benefits, for example.
A recent Freedom of Information request by Benefits and Work has revealed that there are currently “high volumes of overpayments of DLA and PIP” because a combination of slow software and badly trained staff means that many claimants are getting payments of both DLA and PIP at the same time.
UNIVERSAL CREDIT DRAGS ON
Getting the basics right is still a long way from reality when it comes to universal credit (UC) as well. The DWP have announced that current benefits claimants will not now begin to be moved onto UC for at least three years.
The latest target set for transferring existing claimants is from July 2019 to March 2022.
Meanwhile, the painfully slow roll out of the full digital UC service will continue at the rate of just 5 jobcentres a month until June 2017, before increasing to 30 a month and then 55 a month.
The announcement was made by the new secretary of state for work and pensions, Damian Green.
AT LEAST IT'S NOT HIM
We confess to knowing almost nothing about Green, other than that he is yet another graduate of Oxford university’s Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree course. This is a favourite course for would-be politicians. Notable former students include David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Bill Clinton. Which may not entirely fill you with confidence in Mr Green’s abilities.
But, looking on the bright side, at least we didn’t get IDS back.
Have a good summer,
Steve Donnison
Ken.

27th July 2016, 12:07	#1
Kennyeth This is my second home No more Rover Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Posts: 5,881 Thanks: 1,625 Thanked 1,308 Times in 998 Posts	Monthly Newsletter benefitsandwork.co.uk Monthly Newsletter from the above, read online at: http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay....6%2Bnewsletter Dear kennyeth, This will be the last newsletter before we take our summer break. So this will also be the last discount coupon for some time. The next newsletter will be out on 14 September. We won’t be idle over the summer though. We’re working on updated ESA guides, which will also include information about universal credit. We’re also updating our PIP guides to include all the latest case law, which is being created in ever increasing quantities because PIP was so hastily and badly drafted in the rush to begin cutting the benefits bill. NEW PIP FORM Back to the present though and we have news of a new PIP form, the Award Review (AR1) form. This is now being issued when a PIP award is due for renewal or where there is a change in a claimant’s condition or circumstances. The new form is just 12 pages long and the DWP claim that it will save many claimants from having to complete the lengthy ‘How your disability affects you’ form or have an assessment when their time-limited award is due to run out. Members can download a sample copy of the new form and we’ll be including information on how to complete it in the next update of our claiming PIP guide. SNOOPING PHONE APP In our last newsletter we warned readers about the possibility of prepaid benefits cards being introduced for some claimants. We have now learnt that the DWP is also trialling a new phone app, based on bitcoin software, as a way of paying benefits. A former member of the Government Digital Service has warned that the technology could be used to monitor benefit spending and force claimants to only spend their benefits on approved items. DLA/PIP OVERPAYMENTS But before the DWP starts experimenting with bitcoin software and phone apps, many claimants would argue that they ought to make sure they can get the basics right. Like paying the correct amount of benefits, for example. A recent Freedom of Information request by Benefits and Work has revealed that there are currently “high volumes of overpayments of DLA and PIP” because a combination of slow software and badly trained staff means that many claimants are getting payments of both DLA and PIP at the same time. UNIVERSAL CREDIT DRAGS ON Getting the basics right is still a long way from reality when it comes to universal credit (UC) as well. The DWP have announced that current benefits claimants will not now begin to be moved onto UC for at least three years. The latest target set for transferring existing claimants is from July 2019 to March 2022. Meanwhile, the painfully slow roll out of the full digital UC service will continue at the rate of just 5 jobcentres a month until June 2017, before increasing to 30 a month and then 55 a month. The announcement was made by the new secretary of state for work and pensions, Damian Green. AT LEAST IT'S NOT HIM We confess to knowing almost nothing about Green, other than that he is yet another graduate of Oxford university’s Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree course. This is a favourite course for would-be politicians. Notable former students include David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Bill Clinton. Which may not entirely fill you with confidence in Mr Green’s abilities. But, looking on the bright side, at least we didn’t get IDS back. Have a good summer, Steve Donnison Ken.