Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 76
76
Accepted
Paragraph: 250
Urgent and exceptional payment cap and decision times are inadequate for Windrush victims.
Conclusion
The Department should also raise the standard payment cap of £5,000 to ensure that those who are in urgent need of greater financial support, or those who face multiple simultaneous financial challenges, are provided with adequate emergency funds to alleviate their hardship. It should ensure applicants receive a decision within ten days.
Government Response Summary
The government clarifies that its policy on Urgent and Exceptional Payments does not have a cap, and it already makes payments exceeding £5,000 when appropriate. It states decisions are made as soon as possible but does not commit to a ten-day deadline, noting that additional information may be required.
Paragraph Reference:
250
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The policy on Urgent and Exceptional Payments does not have a cap; while the policy states that payments will not normally exceed £5000, any decision is always based on what is needed in each individual case. Where there are instances where it is appropriate to pay more than £5000, we have and will continue to do so. We continue to inform individuals of our decision as soon as possible. However, there are occasions where follow-up contact and further information is required in order to establish why a person requires urgent support. The published policy on Urgent and Exceptional Payments provides detailed guidance to individuals on what information they may wish to share at the point of making a request, in order to help our team to make a decision more quickly.