EXCLUSIVE: People who fail to attend a ‘fit-for-work’ test over the phone have been at risk of a sanction since November 2 – two days after Boris Johnson announced the new shutdown in England. And it includes many people on Universal Credit
Welfare chiefs have been slammed for extending benefit sanctions just as England is plunged into a new lockdown.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) removed a key safeguard for people on disability benefit on November 2 – two days after Boris Johnson confirmed shops, pubs and cafes would shut.
The change means sick or disabled people can have their benefits stopped if they “fail to attend” a fit-for-work test over the phone.
Phone assessments were introduced due to the pandemic. At first they did not carry the same penalties as missing a meeting in person.
But since November 2, those who fail to attend the health assessments “without good reason” can have their benefits cut or halted.
Ayaz Manji, of mental health charity Mind, said the DWP had “missed an opportunity” to protect disabled people who already face “months of hardship in lockdown”.
