There is much confusion about recent announcements announced by Sunak but lets not take lightly the Statutory Instruments being rushed through Like the legislation to amend AET (Administration Earnings Threshold) Applies from May 6th and the cruel removal of benefits for those out of work for more than 12 mths in the next parliament.
Firstly All those legacy claimants who thought they had some time will now be moved to Universal Credit(UC). Those Migration notices will be all issued by December 2025 according to Neil Couling. These it is understood to be going out as soon as Sept 2024.
Disabled people and Fit Notes: When you fill in your UC claim you need to ‘State Reg 19 which means you have a pre-determined award’ on your form therefore you do not need a fit note but many work coaches are insisting this still is needed as many don’t know their own rules. Fit notes are being removed from GP surgeries no doubt by others who are not qualified like your GP to decide under new consultation by Sunak alongside a PIP consultation too, as too many they claim are entitled to high rates of benefit. This is no more than a stiffening of the processes to deny genuine claims to save money.
The WCA is also being scrapped from April 2025 where the new Dual Assessments will apply and those without PIP will lose £390 approx unless the work coach decides you may be entitled to the Health Element. These people are now in a position to decide if you are fit for work or not is one of the most dangerous moves this government as produced and many think Atos and the likes were bad enough.
Existing Universal Credit or Income based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants who currently have no work-related requirements will not be reassessed or lose benefit because of these changes, except in some very limited circumstances. according to Mims Davies in her reply to me. They will be transitionally protected and that will be eroded over time by any rises in UC elements.
Customers on Contribution Based ESA and with Means tested Benefits HB, CTC,WTC or top up IB ESA will migrate, but those on CB ESA/JSA only will not. Many are worried that they be forced to work but Davies said remote working and hybrid working during Covid now makes this possible and everyone in the Household Benefit Unit will have to agree a Claimant Commitment.
This will come under the guise of Universal Support (out of work) or (In work) Workwell programs linked to Back to Work Plan. There was also a fuss about Health and Work Program finishing this is utter bullshit it was renamed Health Transformation Program and here are the contract areas for the Dual assessments. The target groups are mainly those with Mental Health and Musculoskeletal problems but not exclusively as there is a list of target groups also.
Many other things have been announced such as the Fraud Bill where the DWP can spy on claimants and while I do not condone fraud in anyway this can lead to those caught being arrested and possessions taken under new measures if this bill passes, Plus a overall tightening up on descriptors of both WCA/PIP to prevent a further escalation of new claims which happened under Covid.
On 15th April the Government updated 207 new documents on UC to bring them inline for the new reforms. While everyone is looking for a saviour under the guise of Labour’s Liz Kendal I fear she will be worse than the current lot and less transparent in all honesty , although polls are suggesting a win at election time. I fear many more deaths are in the pipeline for disabled people unable to cope or sustain employment under duress.
https://blueannoyed.wordpress.com/2019/10/19/health-transformation-programme-the-next-step/
https://blueannoyed.wordpress.com/2017/08/03/universal-support-universal-credit/
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