Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 45
45
Paragraph: 196
We recommend that the Department provide new and clearer guidance for Work Coaches to mitigate...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Department provide new and clearer guidance for Work Coaches to mitigate the impact of the wait and monthly payment system by making the option of more frequent payments under Alternative Payment Arrangements easy for all claimants in England and Wales to access. This option should be offered to all claimants, alongside clear information about how the payment process will work. The Department should review how it uses evidence for Alternative Payment Arrangement applications, following reports that it puts people off applying.
Paragraph Reference:
196
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
UC encourages all claimants to take responsibility for their own financial affairs and helps them to develop the financial capability to do so. Therefore, households are expected to manage their own budgets, unless this risks financial harm to themselves and/or their family. By default, as the Committee knows, UC is paid monthly, mirroring how the majority of the working population are paid. However, where it is identified that a claimant is finding it difficult to budget monthly, they can have their UC paid more frequently, for example: twice monthly or, exceptionally, four times a month. Our guidance to Work Coaches is already clear that where claimants may struggle with budgeting or debt, financial guidance and/or debt advice should be offered, and APAs should be considered. Each claimant will have a named Work Coach with whom a trusted relationship can be forged. This localised approach allows for appropriate support, which can be delivered by the Department or its partners, to be tailored to the needs of the individual claimant.