January 2020: Touchbase edition 139
Updated 9 March 2020
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State Pension: people living in the EEA or Switzerland
Under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, UK state pensioners living in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 will have their State Pensions uprated every year for as long as they continue to live there. This will happen even if they start claiming their pension on, or after 1 January 2021, as long as they meet the qualifying conditions.
More information on benefits and pensions for people from the UK living in the EEA or Switzerland.
Information for people from the EEA or Switzerland who are living in the UK.
EU Settlement Scheme: information available in 26 languages
The EU Settlement Scheme allows EU citizens currently in the UK to apply for settled or pre-settled status. This status will give them the ability to continue living in the UK and maintain the rights they currently have.
The EU Settlement Scheme is open to EU citizens who arrive in the UK before 1 January 2021. The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021.
You can support applications by distributing these materials to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. They are provided in 26 EU languages, including Welsh and Irish.
Universal Credit
Information and specialist support for Landlords
The Understanding Universal Credit website now includes a Universal Credit Housing queries routeway. This provides guidance on how to resolve landlord queries about Universal Credit, plus links to online information and telephone numbers for specialist support.
In most cases, landlords should attempt to resolve any claim or payment issues with their tenant. It will usually be the case that they can raise and address it through their online Universal Credit journal. If this is not possible or the issue remains unresolved, you can call the Universal Credit Service Centre.
Landlord guide: helping tenants with Universal Credit
Landlords are often well placed to help their tenants understand Universal Credit, and this can help ensure that rent is paid on time.
To help private sector landlords respond to tenants’ Universal Credit questions, DWP has produced a guide to helping tenants with Universal Credit.
The guide advises on how landlords can reply to common questions from tenants who are applying for, or already claiming, Universal Credit. It includes information and links, such as how to arrange managed payments to landlords.
More information for landlords.
‘New Style’ Employment and Support Allowance: how to claim
‘New Style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is available to claimants who are ill or have a health condition that limits their ability to work. ‘New Style’ ESA is paid every 2 weeks and can be claimed on its own or at the same time as Universal Credit. New style ESA is a contributory benefit and most income is not taken into account, but a personal pension can affect the amount you receive.
There is no postal application process for ‘New Style’ ESA. Do not advise claimants to post their claim form to DWP as it will lead to delays.
To apply for ‘New Style’ ESA follow the information on how to claim.
New provision to help disabled customers with complex needs
Intensive Personalised Employment Support (IPES) is a voluntary provision available in England and Wales. It aims to provide personalised, intensive support for those who are not in work, are disabled or have complex needs, and are more than 12 months away from the labour market.
Open to both existing benefit and non-benefit customers, people interested in participating can discuss their circumstances with a jobcentre work coach.
The scheme provides:
- intensive, flexible provider support for up to 21 months, including 6 months in-work support
- warm handover from the jobcentre
- a dedicated key worker
- help to build a sustainable support network
- an offer of work experience
- regular progress reviews
Disability Confident: new campaign for 2020 and scheme changes
A new campaign promoting Disability Confident will run from early February to the end of March.
The campaign is aimed at reaching a wider pool of employers with information about Disability Confident. Activities include press, social media and online advertising.
Support from Disability Confident employers would add real value to the campaign. We hope employers can get involved and help to increase the opportunities for disabled people to thrive at work. DWP have developed a range of materials to promote your Disability Confident status and help others to learn about the scheme.
From 29 November 2019, changes have been made to the Disability Confident scheme to strengthen it. To achieve Level 3 Leader status, an employer must demonstrate that they use the Voluntary Reporting Framework to publicly report on disability, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Find out more about Disability Confident.
Local Housing Allowance: rates to rise
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates will rise with inflation from April 2020. There are around 1.4 million people in the private rental sector receiving Local Housing Allowance, and this change will provide an average of around £10 a month more to affected households. Payments will increase automatically – people do not have to apply to receive the extra money – and they should see a change in their housing payments from 1 April 2020.
More information on LHA increase is available.
Cold Weather Payment
The Cold Weather Payment scheme is available until 31 March. It offers people on certain benefits £25 for each period of unseasonably cold weather and is paid automatically.
Claimants receiving a qualifying benefit can check if their postcode has been triggered for a payment.
Find out more about Cold Weather Payment.
Hospitality Works 2020
The hospitality industry will once again join jobcentres to raise awareness of the jobs and opportunities in the sector and promote it as a great industry to work in.
The campaign will run for 3 weeks from 10 February 2020, with key partners including UKHospitality, Springboard and British Beer and Pub Association.
This year it’s expected to be bigger than ever, with employers from across the sector opening their doors to offer taster days, work placements and deliver talks at hundreds of jobcentres across the country.
Find out more about Hospitality Works or email [email protected]
News round up
Employment hotline opens for offenders in Scotland’s largest prison
Thriving UK jobs market hits record high employment rate
Jobcentres to receive new £3 million fund to support homeless people
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