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Roundup of recent DWP announcements
Special Rules for End of Life changes
There are special benefit rules for people who are nearing the end of their life that provide fast-track access to certain benefits provided by DWP.
This week the Government changed the Special Rules process for Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance. These changes are happening in England, Scotland and Wales. Similar changes are planned for Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. For more information go to GOV.UK or use the Special Rules for End of Life factsheet.
Jobcentre Plus arrangements over the Easter period
Jobcentre Plus opening times are different over Easter.
Offices and phone lines are closed on Friday 15 and Monday 18 April.
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.
If the expected payment date is Friday 15 or Monday 18 April then benefits will be paid early on Thursday 14 April. If the expected payment date is not shown, customers will get their money on their usual payment date.
New Pension Credit campaign
DWP has launched a new campaign calling on pensioners, and their friends and family, to check eligibility for Pension Credit.
The campaign begins with social and digital channels this month, with national/regional newspaper advertising to follow in the coming months.
Pension Credit gives pensioners extra financial support with living costs if they are on a low income.
More than 1.4 million pensioners in Britain claim it but new figures show many more could be missing out.
To support the campaign, see our Pension Credit toolkit and follow us on social media.
Single Service Phone Life in Bereavement
From 11 April, the way citizens contact DWP Bereavement Services is changing.
Citizens will now be able to access the following bereavement services through a single phone number 0800 151 2012, to:
- Report a death, provide information and find out what support is available following a bereavement;
- Make a new or, manage an existing claim for Bereavement Benefit or Bereavement Support Payment
- Make a new or, manage an existing claim for Funeral Expenses Payments
- Request State Pension updates following the death of a spouse or civil partner
Free Courses for Jobs
Free Courses for Jobs has expanded to help even more adults take a free level 3 qualification (equivalent to A levels) to help them access new job opportunities or increase their wages.
Courses are now available to those aged 19+, living in England, if any of the below apply:
- They do not already have a level 3 qualification such as A levels or an Advanced Technical Diploma (and do not have a qualification at a higher level)
- Are unemployed
- Earn below the National Living Wage annually (£18,525)
For information on the range of qualifications available visit Free Courses for Jobs.
NCSC Cyber Resilience Exercising Tool webinar
National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of GCHQ, is inviting UK businesses and organisations to a free webinar to help better prepare and protect themselves from ransomware and other cyber attacks. The Digital Loft (aka webinar) takes place on Tuesday 12 April at 10am and will see experts from the NCSC demonstrate their free tool, Exercise in a Box, which any sized organisation can use.
The webinar is part of the ongoing work of the NCSC to tackle the threat from ransomware and to bolster the cyber resilience of the UK in light of events in Ukraine. While the NCSC is not aware of any specific cyber threats to UK organisations in relation to the Russian invasion, there is a heightened risk of hostile cyber activity. In the last year, two in five UK businesses were subject to some form of cyber-attack or attempted breach. The event is open to any UK business or organisation, and registration is required.
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