Reinstatement of income support for disabled lone parents

Between March and October 2009 some lone parents with a disability or health condition had their award of Income Support (IS) ended incorrectly and were subsequently directed to claim Employment and Support Allowance. The DWP have identified around 17,000 customers who may have been affected and now need to contact them to offer them the opportunity to:

• Stay on their current benefit
• Move back to IS, if they are still receiving benefit; or
• Reinstate IS for the period following the end of their award of IS if they are no longer receiving benefit.

From 15th February 2010 an exercise will commence over a four week period, where DWP will contact all affected lone parents advising them of the error and informing them of their options.
Each customer will be asked to complete a reply slip outlining their preference and return it to their local Jobcentre Plus Benefit Delivery Centre (BDC) in a prepaid envelope.
A dedicated national helpline (including Welsh language and textphone numbers) has been set up to provide further information. The number is 0845 850 0456. Additional support will be provided through the customers own Benefit Delivery Centre to help them decide if they are better off remaining on their current benefit.
If you would like more information about lone parent changes generally and how they are being implemented an Information Pack “Changes to Income Support for Lone Parents and Jobseekers Allowance for all Parents” provides information about the changes for lone parents. This is available on the Jobcentre Plus website at www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/changes-to-benefits-for-lone.

Disability Alliance