Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Paragraph: 108
We recommend that Advances should be renamed “new claim loans”, so that it is clear...
Recommendation
We recommend that Advances should be renamed “new claim loans”, so that it is clear to claimants that they will need to be repaid. Before a new claim loan is granted in full, the Department should provide personalised budgeting support—when possible, with a face-to-face option—with a full assessment of the claimant’s financial situation and the impact that future repayments of the loan will have on their household finances. We recognise that, for people in acute financial crisis, it may be necessary for the Department to pay part of the loan before this support can be offered.
Paragraph Reference:
108
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
In relation to available data, the Department is committed to collecting, monitoring and publishing data on the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) process. ESA WCA National Statistics are published on a quarterly basis, and the Department is developing data on UC WCAs. The Department has been working with external stakeholders to inform future changes to assessments. The forthcoming Health and Disability Green Paper will focus on how we can improve our services for disabled people and people with health conditions. The Green Paper will explore assessment reform options and seek views on future changes.