December 2018: Touchbase edition 131
Updated 9 March 2020
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Jobcentre Plus arrangements over the festive period
Jobcentre Plus opening hours are different over Christmas and New Year.
To make sure people receive their payments on a day when Jobcentre Plus offices are open, arrangements have been made to make some payments early.
New guides to help homeless people claim and manage Universal Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published guides for homeless people and the organisations supporting them when making and managing a Universal Credit claim.
The guides give specialised guidance for people experiencing homelessness and have been developed with a range of stakeholders in the homelessness and advice sectors.
DWP recognises that many homeless people can be some of the most vulnerable in society and it’s important they get the support they need.
Universal Credit: improving the claimant experience
DWP is continually improving the Universal Credit experience for claimants.
Third party deductions
Since November, we’ve automated the processes for dealing with third party deductions. This means we can deal with deductions quickly and more accurately.
We’ve also improved the claimant’s statement so it includes a breakdown of the detail of third party deductions. Claimants will also be notified when third party deductions change or end.
Apply for Universal Credit online service available in Welsh
A Welsh language version of the Universal Credit online service is now available. People in Welsh postcodes can also set a Welsh language preference on their Universal Credit account.
This means that the full digital Universal Credit experience is available to Welsh speakers who will now be able to directly manage their accounts in Welsh.
New Universal Credit campaign to support landlords
On 26 November 2018, we launched a 6 week campaign to raise landlords’ awareness and understanding of Universal Credit.
As part of the campaign, we’ve added a new section to the Understanding Universal Credit website which helps landlords to understand what Universal Credit means for them. The website also includes:
- top tips for landlords
- explainer videos
- information to support landlords’ conversations with tenants
Pension Wise helps savers avoid scams
The government’s Pension Wise service is helping savers to avoid scams. According to the latest Pension Wise figures:
- 92% of its customers feel confident in their ability to avoid pension scams
- 95% of its customers would recommend the service to others
If you’re over 50 and have a personal or workplace defined contribution pension, Pension Wise can provide:
- guidance on how to make the best use of your money
- information about tax when taking money from your pension
To arrange a free telephone or face-to-face appointment with Pension Wise, call 0800 138 3944 or visit www.pensionwise.gov.uk.
Find a job highlights Disability Confident employers
Find a job, which lets people advertise, search and apply for jobs for free, now automatically includes the Disability Confident badge on jobs advertised by Disability Confident employers.
Jobseekers can also choose to search for jobs which display the badge.
Over 8,000 jobs with Disability Confident employers are now advertised on the service.
Follow @findajobsupport on Twitter for the latest Find a job news.
Disability sector champions recruitment 2019
If you’re a business leader who wants to address the problems disabled people face as consumers, you can now apply to become a disability sector champion.
Sector champions improve access to services and products for disabled people by using business-to-business engagement to:
- share good practice
- highlight specific changes to make their sectors more inclusive
Sector champions are needed in the following areas:
- countryside and heritage
- fashion
- food and drink
- product design
- retail
- technology
- website accessibility
The deadline for applications is midnight on 13 January 2019.
Pregnancy and Baby Payment introduced in Scotland
The Pregnancy and Baby Payment replaced the Sure Start Maternity Grant in Scotland on 10 December 2018. By summer 2019, the Pregnancy and Baby Payment will be part of the Best Start Grant, which will also include the:
- Early Learning Payment
- School Age Payment
More information on who can get the Pregnancy and Baby Payment and how to apply is available on mygov.scot.
News round-up
Pensions dashboards to enable more informed retirement planning
Employment Minister welcomes new UK employment record
£40 million personalised support package for long-term unemployed disabled people launched
Our 18 employment records this year show why we need the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal
Millions awarded to help people with health conditions stay in work
Minister calls on businesses to reveal how many disabled staff they employ