Latest news with #DepartmentforWorkandPensions
The Herald Scotland
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
How private firms are siphoning money from social security
Such firms offer services such as filling in claim forms and medical questionnaires, communicating with the Department for Work and Pensions and preparation for tribunals. Read More: Often targeted by social media advertising, people are paying up to £400 plus VAT per successful application for things like the Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) and the Adult Disability Payment (ADP). Companies are deducting as much as 10% from ongoing monthly payments, potentially earning up to thousands of pounds over years. CAS offers free advice to those in need of social security, helping close to 192,000 people in 2023-24. David Hilferty, director of impact at Citizens Advice Scotland said: "This is a pernicious practice – profiteering from people who need support most. "It is the very worst kind of innovation and opportunism, clearly undermining the policy intent of these payments to provide vital financial support to those who need it most. "Expert, impartial, and confidential advice should be free of charge to everyone who needs it in Scotland. "
Wales Online
a day ago
- Business
- Wales Online
DWP to end six benefits by 2026 with millions set to lose out in months
DWP to end six benefits by 2026 with millions set to lose out in months The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is continuing with the phasing out of older benefits for millions this year The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is continuing to phase out older benefits for millions this year (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) People receiving certain benefits are being urged to take action if they wish to continue receiving payments. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is persisting with the phasing out of older benefits for millions this year. A few years ago, the DWP began transitioning individuals on specific benefits, known as legacy benefits, over to universal credit, which was launched in 2013. This process, known as managed migration, has been gradually implemented over several years, with individuals being informed that they would be transitioned and, in some cases, would need to make a universal credit claim, according to WalesOnline. Full-scale managed migration kicked off in April 2023, extending to different regions across Great Britain. The six legacy benefits being phased out include: Child and working tax credit Income-based jobseeker's allowance Income support Income-related employment Support allowance Housing benefit Tax credit is the first of 2025's legacy benefit closures. According to the DWP website, the benefit was set to cease in April 2025, meaning recipients must respond to their migration notices to continue receiving benefits. Article continues below Those affected have three months from the date on their migration notice to apply for universal credit. Furthermore, the planned transition of approximately 800,000 recipients of income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) alone, or income-related ESA in conjunction with housing benefit, has been expedited. This had initially been postponed to 2028/29. The DWP began sending migration notices to these claimants in September 2024, with the aim of informing all individuals in this group by December 2025. The DWP plans to move all legacy benefit recipients to universal credit by March 2026, completing the rollout and ending all legacy benefits by this date. Here is the complete timeline of managed migration: Article continues below Here is the full timeline of managed migration:
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
PIP cuts mean people with 'invisible conditions' could lose out
The DWP benefit is designed to help cover the extra costs of living with a health condition Benefits experts fear changes to PIP eligibility could mean people with health conditions that do not always have obvious outward symptoms could lose out on payments under new rules. The eligibility for PIP (Personal Independence Payment) is becoming stricter from next year. An additional rule will mean you have to score at least one 4 on one of the daily living activities in the PIP scoring system to qualify for the daily living rate, which is currently paid at £73.90 or £110.40 a week, depending on your level of need. This means someone on the higher rate who no longer qualified could lose out on over £5,700 a year in payments while if you lost out on the lower rate, you would lose out on over £3,800 a year. PIP, overseen by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is intended to help cover the extra costs of a person who lives with a long-term disability or health condition, and includes a daily living part and a mobility part. Health experts at Medico Digital have warned the changes could have severe consequences for some people. Oliver Capel, healthcare marketing expert with the group, said: "The potential tightening of PIP eligibility risks disproportionately impacting people with 'invisible' conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and mental health disorders. These individuals often rely on PIP not just for mobility aids or home adjustments, but to fund essential support like therapy, transportation to medical appointments, and help with daily tasks that can otherwise be overwhelming." PIP applicants often undergo a medical assessment to determine how their condition affects them and so how much they should get in payments. But Ms Capel warned there are risks here that the reality of living with the three health issues she mentioned is not fully understood. She explained: "Many of these conditions fluctuate and are not easily understood in traditional medical assessments. For example, someone with severe anxiety may be physically able to walk but still unable to navigate a supermarket or attend a job interview. "Removing PIP in these cases doesn't just cut off financial aid. It strips away a sense of autonomy and stability." She warned that PIP is a lifeline for many people, helping them maintain dignity and quality of life. She warned of major problems that could result from tightening the eligibility rules: "If changes are made without accounting for the lived realities of these conditions, we risk pushing vulnerable people further into poverty, isolation, and worsening health outcomes. "A more nuanced, case-by-case approach is essential to ensure that we support those who genuinely need it, even if their struggles are not immediately visible." Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said in the Commons on June 23 that reforms were needed to preserve the system in the long term. She said: 'This is a vital benefit that makes a crucial contribution towards the extra costs of living with a disability. That is why we want to reform it, to protect it for generations to come because we do not think it's sustainable to have a doubling of the number of people on Pip over this decade from two to more than 4.3 million.'
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
One-legged amputee cricketer loses benefits after being filmed playing ‘because he's not disabled enough'
Shaun lost his right leg in a tractor accident when he was two BATTY DECISION One-legged amputee cricketer loses benefits after being filmed playing 'because he's not disabled enough' A ONE-legged amputee cricketer says he has lost his disability benefits after being filmed playing for his local club. Shaun Rigby, 37, said the Department for Work and Pensions claimed it showed he 'wasn't disabled enough'. 5 One-legged amputee cricketer Shaun Rigby had his disability benefits stopped by the Department for Work and Pensions Credit: SWNS 5 Shaun was filmed playing for his local club Allscott Heath in Shropshire Credit: SWNS 5 Shaun regularly played for the club with the aid of a runner — taking extra medication to cope with pain Credit: SWNS The sheet metal worker, who lost his right leg in a tractor accident when he was two, has played cricket since the age of seven and has represented England's disabled team. He regularly played for Allscott Heath in Shropshire with the aid of a runner — taking extra medication to cope with pain. But he came under investigation by the DWP — leading to his Personal Independence Payment benefits he has received since 2016 being axed and his mobility car being withdrawn. Shaun said: 'I play cricket — it doesn't mean my leg has suddenly grown back.' The dad of four, of Telford, Shrops, added: 'They are basically saying I am mobile enough and accusing me of lying on the application. 'But when I ticked I couldn't walk without being in pain, I wasn't lying, I just carry on through the pain.' He has 30 days to appeal and is now £500 worse off a month. Shaun added: 'It is so unfair just because I play cricket. " Are disabled people not allowed to take part in sport? "Everyone's telling me to appeal but it has all taken so much out of me, I don't think I can face it.' Disability benefit explained - what you can claim The DWP declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. 5 Shaun lost his right leg in a tractor accident when he was two Credit: SWNS 5 Shaun said: 'I play cricket — it doesn't mean my leg has suddenly grown back' Credit: SWNS Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
One-legged amputee cricketer loses benefits after being filmed playing ‘because he's not disabled enough'
A ONE-legged amputee cricketer says he has lost his disability benefits after being filmed playing for his local club. Shaun Rigby, 37, said the Department for Work and Pensions claimed it showed he 'wasn't disabled enough'. Advertisement 5 One-legged amputee cricketer Shaun Rigby had his disability benefits stopped by the Department for Work and Pensions Credit: SWNS 5 Shaun was filmed playing for his local club Allscott Heath in Shropshire Credit: SWNS 5 Shaun regularly played for the club with the aid of a runner — taking extra medication to cope with pain Credit: SWNS The sheet metal worker, who lost his right leg in a tractor accident when he was two, has played cricket since the age of seven and has represented England's disabled team. He regularly played for Allscott Heath in But he came under investigation by the DWP — leading to his Personal Independence Payment benefits he has received since 2016 being axed and his mobility car being withdrawn. Shaun said: 'I play cricket — it doesn't mean my leg has suddenly grown back.' Advertisement The dad of four, of Telford, Shrops, added: 'They are basically saying I am mobile enough and accusing me of lying on the application. 'But when I ticked I couldn't walk without being in pain, I wasn't lying, I just carry on through the pain.' He has 30 days to appeal and is now £500 worse off a month. Shaun added: 'It is so unfair just because I play cricket. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking Latest " Are disabled people not allowed to take part in sport? "Everyone's telling me to appeal but it has all taken so much out of me, I don't think I can face it.' Disability benefit explained - what you can claim The DWP declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. 5 Shaun lost his right leg in a tractor accident when he was two Credit: SWNS Advertisement 5 Shaun said: 'I play cricket — it doesn't mean my leg has suddenly grown back' Credit: SWNS Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
