Asked by: Sarah Smith (Labour - Hyndburn)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to universal credit migration, what steps the Department is taking to ensure complaints are resolved within the 25-working-day statutory timeframe, particularly where claimant health is at risk.
Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department is committed to resolving complaints relating to Move to Universal Credit as quickly and effectively as possible, particularly where a claimant's health or wellbeing may be at risk. Cases involving vulnerability, safeguarding concerns or health risks are prioritised and escalated where appropriate, and complaint handlers are trained to identify and support vulnerable customers.
The Department’s aims to respond to complaint within 15 working days or, where a case will take longer than 15 days to respond to, set a resolution plan with the customer where cases are complex and may take longer. A resolution plan is a clear outline of how we will address and resolve a complaint. It sets out what actions will be taken, who is responsible, and the expected timescales for completing these actions.
The Department recognises that complaint response times have not consistently met expected standards in recent months due to increased volumes and a rise in complex cases.
Improving timeliness of responses remains a key operational priority.
To address this, the Department has taken urgent action to deploy additional resources to complaints and correspondence teams, prioritised the reduction of backlogs, strengthened performance monitoring and senior oversight, and improved case management processes to support faster and more consistent responses.
The Department remains committed to providing a fair, timely and compassionate service, while ensuring that vulnerable customers and those whose health may be at risk receive appropriate support and attention.
Asked by: Sarah Smith (Labour - Hyndburn)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the welfare system in supporting families with disabled children.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
Families with disabled children get an extra amount of Universal Credit of up to £487.58 per month, no matter how many children they have. This increased in line with inflation. If they are receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, they are also exempt from the benefit cap.