Access-to-work Costs 2020-05-11
2020-05-11
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
During the covid-19 outbreak, concerns were raised about delays in access to work payments.
What steps has been taken to ensure prompt payment of access-to-work costs during the pandemic? Specifically, how are key worker applications being handled?
Access-to-work support has prioritised payments, including those to key workers, with same-day payments where possible. Key worker and new employee applications are being cleared urgently. Claimants can now email claim forms as a reasonable adjustment.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State previously assured that PIP awards expiring during the pandemic would be automatically extended.
Can you confirm if this automatic extension applies to all claimants, including those who received an award following an appeal?
The automatic extension applies to all PIP claimants. Initially there was an issue for those on fixed-term, short awards, but we have now addressed that and such claimants will continue to get a six months' extension if their award is due in the next three months.
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Response accuracy