The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is under fire for a series of issues, including the tragic suicide of a Jobcentre work coach and a woman who took her own life hours before her much-delayed Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim was finally approved. The DWP has issued a State Pension warning as 900,000 individuals hit the tax threshold 'for the first time' and announced a £900 blow for 500,000 claimants 'starting in April', while clarifying that this boost will 'not be paid' to thousands of state pensioners. Additionally, the DWP is criticized for 'secretly weakening' its rules on investigating suicides, a year after its public pledge to learn from past incidents. Amidst these controversies, the DWP has announced changes to universal credit for thousands over Easter, a review of 'long-standing' State Pension policies, new food banks rules in guidance for Jobcentre staff, and that many benefit claimants will receive their payments early over Easter, with benefits paid early in March and April.
DWP explains code which means you'll get benefits paid early in March and April https://t.co/lNI5CmGNI9
DWP says millions to be paid 'early' and payment lands 'next week' https://t.co/OSWrQTuHuG
Jobcentres told to stop referring benefit claimants to food banks https://t.co/eFSIDLLNPF
Many benefit claimants will receive their payments early over Easter https://t.co/qYHCj9lEA8
'Ethnic bias' at Liverpool Women’s Hospital delayed care before pregnant black woman's death https://t.co/oTUF8bMItq
DWP announces new food banks rules in new guidance for Jobcentre staff https://t.co/uf40MUznmo
'Ethnic bias' delayed care before Liverpool woman's death https://t.co/7ijjRpzX2f
Kirsty Thain: Inadequate care contributed to midwife's death, inquest hears https://t.co/ECEJoo6pJj
DWP secretly weakens its rules after saying 'lessons have been learned' https://t.co/PCZX1yxddQ
DWP in hot water over 'shocking and shameful' refusal as it issues statement https://t.co/7TRPQvRfH7
Woman took own life hours before DWP finally agreed much-delayed PIP claim https://t.co/UGG7K2ATAm
#DWP secretly weakened guidance on investigating suicides, one year after public pledge @Debbie_abrahams @CommonsWorkPen @DeathsByWelfare @NAOorguk https://t.co/GAOqkQPYdG
DWP urged to 'speed up' rules review and 'put matter to bed' https://t.co/2opjKp7BlW
DWP claimants urged to 'increase work hours' after being left out of pocket https://t.co/dupdKdvDNa
DWP State Pension shortfall warning as claimants lose £250 in nasty shock https://t.co/1q1p0QTjDW
DWP clarifies £900 boost will not be paid to thousands of state pensioners in April https://t.co/GOv4cgT897 https://t.co/jSNyYi1pLy
DWP announces £900 blow for 500,000 claimants 'starting in April' https://t.co/Y06vx7esO6
DWP announces changes to universal credit for thousands over Easter next month https://t.co/17UZxFp5XT https://t.co/0nWh9BDEsf
DWP breaks silence over changing 'long standing' State Pension policy https://t.co/PMcVtDt5AL
DWP State Pension warning as 900,000 hit tax threshold 'for first time' https://t.co/u6UoXgWUAX
DWP in hot water over culture with Jobcentre work coach 'driven to suicide' https://t.co/cbE52LUvHG