Page 141 - Reforming Benefits Decision-Making
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33.   All forms, key information and guidance and letters from the DWP should be
               (i) in plain English; (ii) available in easy read, Braille, audio, large print and
               BSL if required; and (iii) should be available in the most prevalent languages
               of those applying (para 4.18).


          34.   The  DWP  should  adopt  a  ‘no  wrong  door’  approach  to  applying  for  and
               engaging with UC. This means that:

               a)  It should be made clear to people what the UC Helpline can and cannot
                   assist with before they call.
               b)  People  should  be  able  to  go,  without  an  appointment,  to  their  local
                   Jobcentre, which should have a helpdesk staffed by someone who will be
                   able to assist them with the application process, including explaining the
                   documents and information they need.
               c)  Independent advisers should be located at Jobcentres to provide advice
                   on the impact of claiming UC on legacy benefits and overall entitlement.
               d)  If someone is not able to engage with the system digitally, there should
                   be the option of a fully paper-based or telephone-based system, including
                   the  application  process  and  a  paper  and  telephone  alternative  to  the
                   online  journal  for  ongoing  engagement  with  work  coaches.  Ongoing
                   telephone engagement should be directly with the claimant’s work coach,
                   or at a minimum, their Jobcentre, rather than through the UC Helpline
                   (para 4.25).

          35.   Consideration should be given to making it easier for a UC claimant to secure
               their date of claim, in advance of completing all sections of the online form
               (para 4.26).

          36.   Legal aid funding be reinstated for early benefits advice (para 4.32).


          37.   We support the Work and Pension Select Committee’s recommendation that
               “the Department invests in expanding and developing Help to Claim so that
               the service can provide support to people beyond the application process. This
               should  include  debt  advice,  support  for  people  who  are  struggling  with
               Advance  repayments,  and  tailored  support  for  people  with  complex  needs
               who need additional support throughout their claim. The service should also
               offer  digital  support—for  example,  supporting  people  to  make  use  of  the
               online journal to maintain their claim” (para 4.35).

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