Contact West Highland on 0300 323 1170 and request a referral to our advice services. One of our advisors will contact you as quickly as possible to discuss your situation and provide you with any necessary advice or available assistance.
The Department for Work and Pensions has taken the precautionary decision to temporarily suspend all face-to-face assessments for health and disability-related benefits.
This is aimed at reducing the risk of exposure to coronavirus and safeguarding the health of individuals claiming health and disability benefits, many of whom are likely to be at greater risk due to their pre-existing health conditions.
If you already have an assessment appointment arranged, you do not need to attend. Your assessment provider will contact you to discuss your appointment and explain the next steps to you.
Let Universal Credit know by putting a note on your online journal, detailing how and when your circumstances changed, and your Universal Credit award should be adjusted accordingly.
You can ask for a further advance until your Universal Credit is adjusted but remember any advances will be recovered by deductions from your ongoing Universal Credit award.
Contact your local authority benefit team and advise them of your change in circumstances. If you are unable to do this, your local authority should have a change of circumstances online form which you can complete. Your entitlement to housing benefit will then be amended to reflect your change in income.
If your income reduces, your entitlement to housing benefit will usually increase.
People on zero-hour contracts may be eligible for SSP. It will depend on how many hours you have worked regularly, and the income received, but in the first instance contact your employer directly to find out if you are entitled.
Claim Universal Credit at www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit, or by calling 0800 328 5644. Currently, Universal Credit has suspended the minimum floor income (an assumed level of income) applied for a period of time. Alternatively, you can make a claim to Employment and Support Allowance Contribution at www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance or call 0800 328 5644 or Jobseekers Allowance Contribution online at www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/how-to-claim or call 0800 055 6688.
The 7 waiting days for Employment and Support Allowance for new claimants suffering from coronavirus or required to self-isolate will not apply, so it will be payable from day one.
Currently, anyone self-isolating or infected with Coronavirus, will not be required to attend the Job Centre for the initial interview with the Job Coach and ID interview. The work search and work availability requirements for Universal Credit will be temporarily switched off also.
Please contact Universal Credit on 0800 328 5644 and make them aware you are self-isolating, failing to do this may result in your claim not being processed or if you have an ongoing claim, prevent a sanction.
You can claim an advance from Universal Credit. This must be paid back at an agreed amount. You may also be able to claim for a Scottish Welfare Fund crisis grant from your Local Authority. This is usually payable in the form of food and utility vouchers.
If you require a food parcel you can contact your local foodbank. If you need advice or help with this please contact West Highland on 0300 323 1170 .
One month plus one week from the date of claim. e.g. for a claim made to Universal Credit 18 March, the first payment will be made 24 April. Any subsequent payments should be paid on the 24th of each month.
Claims can be made at www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit. You will need to create a user name, password and answer two security questions. You will then be sent a code by email which you need to enter in the appropriate box which will then allow you to complete your claim.
You must provide details of your rent and services charge amounts separately on the claim to confirm your total monthly rent charge. Please contact your Housing Officer if you are unsure how much these are.
Couples need to make individual claims to Universal Credit therefore both need to have email addresses and create passwords and security questions. Although the claims are made individually, they must be made at the same time and the claims are joined for entitlement purposes.
If you are self-isolating or are infected with Coronavirus, please let DWP know so your ID can be verified without the need to attend the Job Centre. If you do get an appointment to attend a Job Centre contact them immediately to explain your situation to avoid your claim being closed. If you are unable to complete an online claim, please contact Universal Credit on 0800 328 5644.
The Citizens Advice Bureau’s “Help to Claim” service can support you in the early stages of your Universal Credit claim, from the application, through to your first payment. Their National helpline number is 0800 023 2581.
You should make a claim for Universal Credit. Claims can be made at www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit. You can access the claim form online, on your local authority website or by telephoning them. If you do not have access to a computer or iPad, please call Universal Credit on 0800 328 5644. You may also be able to claim for a reduction in your council tax.
Your employer should pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from the first day you were advised to self-isolate. SSP is £94.25 per week. If you are not entitled to SSP and or need help with rent costs you may be able to claim Universal Credit. Entitlement will depend on your household income. There is currently no need to provide medical evidence or attend a work capability assessment. If you do get an appointment to attend a Job Centre contact them immediately to explain your situation to avoid a sanction.
