In a deeply cynical move, the DWP have ordered Jobcentres to stop referring claimants to food banks.  The decision is alleged to be based on data protection concerns, according to a story in the Guardian.

For some years, Jobcentres have been able to give claimants a signposting slip with brief personal details about themselves, such as the number of children in their household, to act as a referral to their local food bank. 

This is necessary because many food banks will only accept people if they have been sent by another agency.

Suddenly, however, the DWP have decided that giving this information amounts to “inappropriate use of personal claimant data” and that it should be halted.

The result is that claimants, who may have had their benefits sanctioned or be waiting weeks for their first payment, will now have to approach another agency, such as their GP or housing association, to get a food bank referral.

The DWP’s data protection argument is clearly utterly bogus. 

The slip is given to the claimant to take to the foodbank, so it is entirely up to the claimant whether they choose to hand over their data.  And it is all information which the food bank will require before allowing access.

The reality is that the DWP do not want food banks to be able to produce statistics showing what a huge number of claimants are being sent to them directly as a result of the benefits system forcing them into poverty.

The DWP claims it is trying to increase the level of trust that claimants have in them, in the hope of encouraging more people to try work without fear of the effect on their benefits.

Moves such as this and the ramping up of benefits sanctions will have absolutely the opposite effect.

You can read the full story in the Guardian.

Comments

Write comments...
or post as a guest
People in conversation:
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Helen · 8 days ago
    How do I know ism entitled to a  backdated payment I was on lower rate care dla and high  rate mobility dla wen I changed to pip I had low rate mobility and high rate care ... don't understand how they could change it 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Mark · 12 days ago
    Is this even true coz dwp dont know about it they say
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Ry · 19 days ago
    So received a letter stating that the law change and they looked at my claim and I’m not due anything, I applied for a mandatory reconsideration in January 2024, I had a call yesterday saying they looked in to this and have been awarded pip from 2016 till 2019 as 2019 is when they accepted my claim 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Ben · 19 days ago
    I just got my decisions through today and I’m owed £21900
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      R · 17 days ago
      @Ben Hi, Ben. Can I ask what the money was backdated for? Was it for the new change in pitbull? Communicating with others.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Bkaaag · 19 days ago
      @Ben Call this number this is the department working on these cases 08001216579 
      Hope this helps 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Bkaaag · 19 days ago
      @Ben When did your claim start if you don’t mind me asking?i called up and they was still sorting out the year 2016s claims and I started my claim back in 2017 and they said my claim had been flagged and they will get around to it they do it in years apparently starting from 2016..
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bryan · 22 days ago
    How do you do this? I called and they haven't a clue about it? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    R · 25 days ago
    Hi,

    I had a serious car accident in February 2022 - I was ploughed into at 50mph from behind whilst stationery, I lost my job because of it and haven't been able to work since due to severe whiplash. I had fully comp insurance yet I still haven't had compensation. 

    I never knew I may be able to claim PIP, does anybody know if it is possible to claim and get it backdated?

    Any input would be most appreciated as I have no savings left and may lose my house.

    Thank you in advance
    R
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Lu · 23 days ago
      @R That's not pip that's not connected to benefits at all
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sonia · 1 months ago
    I put claims in for pip since like 2008 but only got awarded pip in 2019 and courts  but I was putting claims in for years and got rejected would I count for this but only from 2016 and what do I do if so 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ray · 26 days ago
      @Sonia I'm afraid that you will only receive if they do decide to back date to 2019 I would contact the C.A.B or other places like your housing support there is other groups that can help with this matter
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Citizen · 1 months ago
    Has anyone that got their award through the appeals process got a backdated payment, ie I do qualify for the leap award but because my decision was made by the tribunal I somehow do not qualify.

    I do know one person who has had the backdated payment who got his award on appeal but only have that one reference.

    Any input is welcome.

    Thanks

     
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ray · 26 days ago
      @Citizen I had to go to the tribunal about my PIP it took me awhile to receive it and but only got just over half of my reward back dated I did ask about the rest of it but I git no reply I phoned and wrote but no reply from that not even when c.a.b wrote to them 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    TERRY PAGE · 1 months ago
    hi ive been on pip for about 3 years now due to having 2 lots of cancer, my question is i get my pip money every 4th tuesday, but im always borrowing after the 2nd week does any body know if pip would pay me every 2 weeks instead of every 4 weeks ??
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ray · 26 days ago
      @TERRY PAGE I'm sorry to hear your problem but PIP will only pay every 4weeks if your on benefits aswell  and struggling contact the c.a.b or housing support group there is a few that can help sort this problem out for you 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      janette · 1 months ago
      @TERRY PAGE hi my daughter is terminal and gets her money weekly i would phone them and ask.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      LJ · 1 months ago
      @TERRY PAGE I asked for my UC every 2 weeks. So I would phone PIP and ask it can only be a yes or no 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    aprilpleasance1@gmail.com · 1 months ago
    Can anyone help me iv had mental health for a very long time also glaucoma and  artists I am on enence pip but only for the last 4 years befor that low but nothing has changed in meny years apart from the pain is alot worse. I sent in my review befor Christmas I got a tex on my phone saying they still have my pip form and will be progressing my review as soon as they can I still may need a assessment with a health professional. But I'm already under the mental health team and my mental health doctor my doctor physiotherapist and occupational therapist so I don't understand. And now I'm getting bold spots because I'm stress about having to go out I no I have someone with me most of the time anyway but panicking about just going out sorry it's long thankyou all.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Gilda · 1 months ago
    I don't know if they will pay me any backdate 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Charlotte Rycraft · 1 months ago
    Would this apply to me? I applied for PIP 3 times previously to receiving my first award in 2020, and I was rejected although I was regularly seeing mental health professionals for trauma/EUPD/anxiety
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sarah Doyle · 1 months ago
    How do i know if i am due any back dating money do they get in touch with you

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Samantha Hepworth · 1 months ago
    Tried calling pip today was on hold 45 minutes just to be cut off 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jan · 29 days ago
      @LJ Call the number at 9am on the dot
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      LJ · 1 months ago
      @Samantha Hepworth Same 😢 been 47 mins now and been cut off twice. Got to go through everything all over again!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Thomas · 1 months ago
    I was awarded 3 different  awards with different amounts of points signed by the same person all with the same explanation on each 1 for high rate 2 for middle rate my claim got cancelled but my partner does everything as I can't socialise and have severe breakdowns . How do I check a claim that's been closed ? 

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Damien · 1 months ago
    AA Hi I’ve put mr in as got letter saying not effected did they ring you with desicion or just put backdated payment in your account before or after you received letter 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sally kelly · 1 months ago
    I had to have my assessment in August 20019 I was part time until covid started I was classed as vulnerable so was not at work the whole time. Of covid dwp finally  assessed in August 2013 I recied.a text saying they was dealing with my claim finally  the dessition 2024 after sending more information I am so much worse can't work the enhanced my claim for daily living due to my c o p d anxiety also arthritis in my spine I can't go out on my own also hearing problems and they scored me 10 never inhansed I do online shopping unless my daughter takes me and I'm lucky if I can get around the shop due to pain .
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Lorella gunning · 1 months ago
    How does this work as my husband was on high rate dla  as he was vetran lost it because of my investagaiton  done 
    By dwp and pip kept on saying they couldent find his orignal claim form but dwp fraud investagion so.hes not getting right money  wat a way to treat vetran 

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Miss Romayne Singleton · 1 months ago
    Iwas given a lower care 2019 or before year later i was put back upto higher care that i always had before from the start of DLA higher rates for both mobility and carer so i missed alot of benifit my carers my mobility was always kept higher rate but carer was lowered after asking for a review took over a year now i have pip and ESA higher rate never had much refund a month only so am i one of the ones owed back payment
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      janette · 1 months ago
      @Miss Romayne Singleton i am the same i used to be on dla and esa, then got put to a lower amount so when i went to pip i got the higher rates going to ask about it
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Richard · 1 months ago
    Is this uk 
    As I went from high rate of dla on both for life 
    To enhanced rate mobility 
    And standard rate of care for 2 years ,after a long wait on an internal appeal I got a call telling me I will get enhanced rate of both indefinitely, the face to face assessment was terrible, I went from a he to a she in two sentences 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      The Dog Mother · 1 months ago
      @Richard Tell you better than that.. on one of my hospital reports I went from female to 'This gentleman '. Go figure. Also on one of my pip reports I was 32,I wish. I was 50 at the time.