Asked by: Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Housing Benefit claimants who (1) are currently self-isolating or shielding from COVID-19, and (2) are temporarily absent from their main dwelling within the UK and who intend to return when medically safe to do so, (a) have been granted extensions for a temporary absence from home for 52 weeks, and (b) have had applications for extension on medical grounds rejected, in the last six months.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott - Opposition Whip (Lords)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) continues to support existing benefit recipients in exceptional cases where their absence from home goes over the period allowed under the temporary absence benefit rules as they are self-isolating due to COVID-19.
Although the DWP has overall responsibility for the Housing Benefit scheme and its funding, local authorities have the statutory responsibility for its day-to-day administration. This includes the assessment of individual claims for benefit. Although local authority staff will keep a record on individual claims when a claimant is absent from home, this information isn’t recorded centrally.
Asked by: Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance is given to those making decisions on applications by Universal Credit claimants for a temporary absence from home on medical grounds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott - Opposition Whip (Lords)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) continues to support existing benefit recipients in exceptional cases where their absence from home goes over the period allowed under the temporary absence benefit rules as they are self-isolating due to COVID-19.
Although the DWP has overall responsibility for the Housing Benefit scheme and its funding, local authorities have the statutory responsibility for its day-to-day administration. This includes the assessment of individual claims for benefit. Although local authority staff will keep a record on individual claims when a claimant is absent from home, this information isn’t recorded centrally.
Asked by: Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the effectiveness of (1) the process for applying for, and (2) the application of the policy for, temporary absences from home on medical grounds for (a) Housing Benefit, and (b) Universal Credit, claimants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott - Opposition Whip (Lords)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) continues to support existing benefit recipients in exceptional cases where their absence from home goes over the period allowed under the temporary absence benefit rules as they are self-isolating due to COVID-19.
Although the DWP has overall responsibility for the Housing Benefit scheme and its funding, local authorities have the statutory responsibility for its day-to-day administration. This includes the assessment of individual claims for benefit. Although local authority staff will keep a record on individual claims when a claimant is absent from home, this information isn’t recorded centrally.
Asked by: Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to redeploying those health professionals currently under contract to the Department for Work and Pensions and employed by the assessment provider companies Maximus, Capita and Atos to roles within the NHS to assist with the effort to resist the spread of COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott - Opposition Whip (Lords)
We are working closely with the Department for Health and Social Care to consider how best to support the NHS during this period whilst ensuring that we can continue to provide financial support to claimants through the benefit system. We welcome our Providers’ continued support and flexibility during this period.
Asked by: Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Department for Work and Pensions assessors are currently tasked with carrying out telephone assessments for eligibility to disability benefits.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott - Opposition Whip (Lords)
The information requested is not held. Health Professionals in addition to conducting telephone assessments, can undertake a range of other duties commensurate with their training, for example, scrutiny, quality audit and training.
The Government announced on 16 March 2020 that all face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits will be suspended. The temporary move, effective from 17 March 2020, is being taken as a precautionary measure to protect vulnerable people from unnecessary risk of exposure to coronavirus as the country's response ramps up in the 'delay' phase. We will ensure those who are entitled to a benefit continue to receive support, and that new claimants are able to access the safety net.
Asked by: Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a temporary passporting system to move people on to disability benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott - Opposition Whip (Lords)
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that everyone should be supported to do the right thing.