DWP design to test for vulnerability

DWP confirms that claimants with a vulnerability will not have their claim closed for disengaging from the jobcentre
However, DWP Minister Viscount Younger adds that the design of the process for identifying whether vulnerabilities exist is ‘still in development’
DWP Minister Viscount Younger has confirmed that claimants with a vulnerability will not have their claim closed for disengaging from the jobcentre.
In November 2023, the government announced its five-year ‘Back to Work Plan’ which includes proposals to close the claims of sanctioned claimants who are solely eligible for the standard allowance of universal credit and have been disengaged from the jobcentre for six months.
With concerns having been raised about the knock-on impact of the policy on passported benefits such as free prescriptions, a debate was held in the House of Lords on 30 November 2023 to discuss issues arising from the policy, during which Viscount Younger undertook to write to Peers to address outstanding points that he was not able to answer on the day.
To that end, in a letter dated 16 January 2024 – to Lady Sherlock, Lord Davies of Brixton, Lady Bennett, and Lord Allan of Hallam – Viscount Younger sets out safeguards that will be in place to protect the most vulnerable –
‘Those severely ill or disabled people with limited capability for work and limited capability for work-related activity are not subject to the conditionality and sanctions regime. Therefore, they are protected from having their claim closed or losing their entitlement to passported benefits which could, but not necessarily end under this measure.
In the House, I detailed the application of good reason, easements and prereferral quality checks which prevent claimants from being sanctioned when a sanction would be inappropriate. Sanction decisions will continue to be undertaken by a DWP decision maker and measures will be put in place to ensure that any claimant vulnerabilities are taken into consideration before a claimant is sanctioned or a benefit claim is closed.
We recognise that some people may have developed new or additional health conditions or disability over a sanctioned period, which is why we are introducing a new process to protect these claimants. This new process will include procedures that seek to identify any known or new vulnerabilities that may have impacted the claimant since the sanction decision. Any claimant who has a vulnerability will not have their claim closed.’
However, Viscount Younger adds that –
‘The design of this [new process] is still in development.’
In addition, responding to the potential loss of passported benefits, Viscount Younger says –
‘I wish to clarify that this measure will not impact any claimant’s entitlement to passported benefits through other means beyond being a universal credit claimant. Those who are automatically eligible for a prescription charge exemption due to qualifying conditions such as cancer, diabetes mellitus (except where treatment is by diet alone), hypothyroidism and epilepsy can be assured that they will not lose access to their free prescriptions, providing they hold a valid medical exemption certificate. Anyone may be eligible for the NHS Low Income Scheme, including those with conditions not listed on the medical exemption list, such as asthma and mental health, providing they meet the terms of the scheme…
I wish to reassure Peers that those who have child, housing or disability elements attached to their claim will not have their claims closed as a result of this measure, so they will continue to be eligible for free school meals.’
Viscount Younger also assures Peers that the Department will be undertaking a full Impact Assessment, including an Equality Impact assessment, before the primary legislation for this measure is commenced.
The letter from Viscount Younger is available from parliament.uk