Benefit News

[ErikaPNP]

There isn't much really to report this quarter. DWP news (or blues!)

 

 

• The "benefits advisor" service on directgov has been enhanced to allow claimants to enter their details to receive a benefits estimate. Much in the same manner that "entitled to" aims for. From a personal point of view, I'd consider using both calculators to see how the estimates compare!
  

 

• Commencing in the new year is a new process which will eliminate the need for people in receipt of working age benefits to claim their State Pension. The Pensions Service will simply process State Pension entitlement using information they already hold on people who are receiving benefit. However, as with all new implementations, I would still encourage people to check their entitlement - it's far from infallible, and there will no doubt be some issues in the beginning.
  

 

• Winter Fuel Payments. Just a reminder to Caggers aged 60 or over who have not had a Winter Fuel Payment before to apply for one. You need to apply before 30 March 2010. Call 0845 915 15 15 for a claim form. Those who have received a Winter Fuel Payment before should receive one automatically, and don't need to apply.
  

 

• More Help for carers. Each JCP district should by now have a new Care Partnership Manager who is there to support carers who wish to re-enter work.
  

Full articles on the above and other issues here

 

Regards

Erika

[ErikaPNP]

Starting Monday 18th January, calls to 0800 numbers for DWP customers will be free from some mobiles. This is to enable people to make a claim to benefit without it costing them. Calls are already free from landlines but there has been recognition that a minority of households only have access to PAYG mobiles. Six mobile phone companies have signed agreements with DWP in order to provide the new service. Mobile telephone providers changing from the 18th January to the free service will include:

 

• O2
  
• Orange
  
• Tesco Mobile
  
• Vodafone
  

And from 25th January they will also be free from T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile.

 

General enquiry numbers beginning with 0845 will remain as they are.

 

More here

 

This is specifically for the purpose of claiming benefits. All other outbound calls beginning 0800 which are not to DWP numbers will still be charged at your service provider's rate.

[ErikaPNP]

They are seeking to enter into agreements with as many mobile providers as they can. Unfortunately, not all the mobile phone providers are willing to enter into these agreements. I don't know about Skype, but if they weren't free to call 0800 before, they won't be free now, as the campaign is solely directed towards mobiles.