Thousands of people receiving benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) might be in for a £5,000 windfall due to an oversight. Those who claimed disability benefits could receive a payout from the DWP after a blunder resulted in them missing out on crucial funds.
The problem concerns claimants who were shifted from their previous benefits to Universal Credit prior to January 2019. A legal challenge has revealed that some individuals were unjustly deprived of Severe Disability Premiums (SDP) and Enhanced Disability Premiums (EDP) during the switch, leading to a reduction in their monthly income by as much as £180.
It’s believed that around 15,000 people who made the transition to Universal Credit before the specified date are eligible for compensation that could reach up to £5,000. Human rights lawyer Ryan Bradshaw from Leigh Day commented to say: “I am glad to have settled this claim on behalf of my clients.”
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He further highlighted the broader impact of the error, stating: “However, there are thousands of others who have been similarly affected who have not been in a position to bring a claim like this. They too will have experienced the loss of £180 a month after they were moved from legacy benefits on to universal credit in the years before January 2019.”
Bradshaw also pointed out the emotional toll on those affected, adding: “They too will have suffered unnecessary stress. A suitable scheme, compensating all the people who have endured discrimination at the hands of the DWP, ought to be urgently put in place. The mistakes made here should never be repeated,” reports Birmingham Live.
If you need to get in touch with Universal Credit, there are several ways to do so. You can reach out through your online account or by dialling the Universal Credit helpline at 0800 328 5644. Alternatively, textphone users can contact them on 0800 328 1344. If you’re unable to hear or speak on the phone, Relay UK offers a service at 18001 then 0800 328 5644.
For those who use British Sign Language (BSL), there’s a video relay service available if you’re using a computer. Welsh speakers can call the dedicated line at 0800 328 1744, from Monday to Friday, between 8am and 6pm.
A DWP spokesperson said: “Following this ruling the department has begun the process of compensating affected claimants.”