DWP hold no info on migrating legacy benefits

[trebormoinet]

http://welfarecentral.org/index.php/forum-home/universal-credit/1325-dwp-admit-no-plans-how-to-migrate-legacy-benefits#5432

 

Want to know how you will be migrated from legacy benefits to UC, Do not bother asking the DWP,

 

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/444360/response/1080845/attach/html/2/FoI%204762%20reply.pdf.html

 

"We do not currently hold information on arrangements for migration of legacy benefits

on to Universal Credit."

[honeybee13]

That's just pathetic, isn't it? More like http://www.whatdon'ttheyknow.

 

HB

[fkofilee]

Smells like they know that UC is flawed in a lot of ways and due to this, they are unable to confirm any plans to push all existing legacy benefits because the current system is so flawed...

[unclebulgaria67]

I just wonder. How many Universal Credit threads do we see on CAG from people who have had a problem with UC ? Not many.

 

Given that there are over a million people on UC, you would think if it were that bad that CAG and other online forums would be flooded by complaints. I have read press articles on how bad it is and then done a search online Google, Youtube etc. You will not find that many complaints. Yes there are a few cases reported, by there were already some reported issues with legacy benefits.

 

Now I compare it with the private sector and problems I have seen with Insurance records. I have seen shambolic situations occuring in large Insurance companies paying IT contractors thousands a week and delivering new systems that don't work properly. Records went missing, policy renewals not issued or delayed, claims delayed, payment issues. Horrendous for staff and policyholders. There is one massive UK Insurance company currently looking to change an ancient IT system and they hold more customer records than the number who will be on UC. Many large private companies are currently trying to change IT systems, as existing systems are falling apart.

 

Look at the Energy page on CAG and look at the reports we see about NPower, SSE, EON etc.

 

I think before we criticise the public sector, we should keep in mind the problems we see in the private sector. It is about trying to get a balanced objective view on performance and ensuring that people are informed about what they can do to resolve problems as they occur.

 

Personally, I would not want to see public sector subject to more outsourcing to private sector companies. So be careful what you moan about, as any replacement option might not be as efficient or fair.

[trebormoinet]

At present only 10% of people are on Universal Credit so it is only affecting a small minority, I also do not think the consumer forums is the first stop for most people embroiled in the UC fiasco so it is hardly an ideal metric to base your idea that there is not many people having problems, I see a lot of people having problems online with UC maybe we do not visit the same sites or I am stuck at the coal face.

 

Comparing the Insurance industry with welfare is like comparing apples with pears, in as much as insurance compensates disaster, welfare is supposed to prevent disaster but the powers that be have turned welfare into a tool that is harming people mentally and physically, welfare is supposed to be a safety net not a drag net.

 

I agree with the principle of making the system fairer and simpler which was the idea at the conception, but it has been corrupted into a system that polices and punishes anyone who might make a simple mistake,and whips the nation into working long hours for low wages under the threat of going hungry and or homeless at a time when the need for workers is diminishing.

 

We are being dragged into the past when the future is clearly the need for a Universal basic income.

[unclebulgaria67]

A few thoughts in response.

 

When I read newspaper headlines or forum posts, I search online to try to find out facts. We all know that what is reported is not always that accurate. This is true with virtually every subject we come across.

 

I raise the issue of major IT issues, because my balding head, is probably partly down to the stress suffered by IT system changes. Yes the overtime came in handy, but the extra work and volume of cr*p to deal with was not pleasant.

 

In regard to general economic policy, I think it is very complicated, because the UK competes on a global scale. I don't think the UK compares that badly to other major economies. There are similar problems in most countries. Welfare in the US is appalling. In Spain their JSA equivalent is restricted to 2 years and as a result they have seen problems such as increased squatting. What is the situation like in Germany, Italy etc ?

 

Within 10 years, I can see there being a major challenge to be faced, when jobs are replaced by much more sophisticated computer technology, robots etc. Much of the warehousing type jobs will go, as they automate their facilities. Remote controlled delivery vehicles ?

[trebormoinet]

Exactly, I couldn't agree more, the country needs to wake up to the fact that we need to reward those that do work and give a guaranteed income to those that do not, UC is not fit for the future in its present form, if the sanction element was removed it would be halfway towards a decent system as jobs become more scarce.

 

The reason IMO why migration from legacy benefits is taking so long is that it will drag millions of hard working people into a punishing regime and maybe that will be the time when you will see these forums become flooded with issues and a real wind of change will occur.

[Skinnered]

The DWP, on their own admission, have no idea how they are going to handle the transition arrangements from legacy benefits to UC. The date for dealing with it all has been put back again to the Spring/Summer of 2019.

 

They have still only managed to get around 10% of new claimants onto UC. Roll-out slowed to a crawl, even then they aren’t coping.

 

Unclebulgaria, might I submit that the reason why you don’t see many people asking about UC on CAG is because they invariably get fobbed off with unhelpful responses. Ask at your local Citizen’s Advice or MP offices if you think it’s all propaganda spread by the media.

 

As an example please refer yourself to thread:

 

https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?483778-EU-national-JSA-to-UC-migration

 

The question being asked was:

 

My questions:

- Can I voluntarily ask to be migrated to UC? My work coach says that I would have to quit JSA first and then make a new fresh claim for UC. Is this true?

 

There were 3 responses:

 

1. Too complicated. Wait till someone else comes along.

 

2. From you: You did not address any of the points raised or the actual question which was whether he could voluntarily ask to go onto UC and whether what his work coach told him was correct.

 

He gave a history of the problems he had been having which he fears still remain real and that this was his reasoning for asking to go onto UC because he thought that transferring now would avoid any further complications with his current situation only to face the same again if shortly to be transferred and go through it all again. Sounded reasonable to me.

 

Anyway, you asked him why he wanted to transfer. Not only had he already explained it to you, but, with all due respect, it’s none of your business.

 

The answer to his question was "YES". He said that his circumstances were being changed several times. In fact, in some parts to the country he would have been transferred to UC without asking for it, whether he liked it or not.

 

You then went on at length about all the dire consequences of transferring. This is surprising, I mean, how you know all this when the DWP themselves don’t know. on their own admission, how this transition phase is to be handled. God knows, even if you don’t, they aren’t exactly handling the introduction for new claimants very well, are they?

 

3. Question about housing benefit. Again irrelevant. Answer the questions asked first and subsequent questions when asked. More unnecessary subjective advice on possible difficulties associated with UC, again not what was asked for.

 

The point I am attempting to make is that the claimant who asked the question did not get an answer to his questions from people who are supposed to have been answering questions on here for over 8, 7, and 2 years respectively.

 

I would hesitate to ask another, or as a prospective new member, hesitate to ask any.

 

Neither is it helpful, that is if you wish to attract and encourage members to ask questions, to refer to them as criticising the public sector or moaning.

 

Other parts of the Forum deal with insurance issues, energy, etc. No shortage of corrupt goings on in those services and I’m sure they would benefit from your advice if you feel more comfortable focusing on them.

[unclebulgaria67]

Skinnered

 

We will all look forward to you replying to posts on CAG, so you can share your expertise ! If you work for CAB, perhaps you can share your experience of the type of issues you have dealt with recently.

 

UC issues are going to be raised, because as has been pointed out by many, it is such a massive change to the way benefits have been handled.

 

Your point about people not posting to CAG because there are other sources of information is probably true. I think CAB are part of an official Government assistance process with MP's, to deal with problems as they arise. There was a speech by Frank Field MP in the HoC recently where he spoke about problems and that he had not expected a change in role as MP, to be an official frontline complaint/issue handler for his constituents on behalf of DWP.

 

So I am aware of issues being raised by constituents from accounts of MP's during recently debates, but these issues have always been there with legacy benefits. I think there has been a debate every month about benefits for many decades in Parliament.

 

The question is what is the true level of issues being faced by people going onto UC, other than the 6 week wait for benefit money to be processed and hardship ? When I have searched for information to see just how bad the current position is to see if the media reports are accurate, I have not found much information. Even if CAB are assisting with issues, I would still be expecting to see many threads on CAG, Moneysavingexpert etc.

 

As for that other thread, I did not raise the subject of housing, that was someone else. But it seemed relevant, given that it is different under UC and there might be a delay in rent money being paid. Why don't you add your expert response to the other thread ?

[stu007]

MPs debate Universal Credit: https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2017/october/mps-to-debate-universal-credit/

 

Universal Credit roll-out: Autumn/Winter 2017: http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-8096

 

Statement on Universal Credit: https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2017/november/statement-on-universal-credit/

[san_d]

Unclebulgaria, might I submit that the reason why you don’t see many people asking about UC on CAG is because they invariably get fobbed off with unhelpful responses.

I totally agree with Skinnered, and I can bring my own example:

https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?483893-Holland-amp-Barret-Hermes-nightmare-where-do-I-stand

 

See another site team saying that "probably done you a favour

most supplements are a fad and a waste time and contain nowt but 90% padding anyway"

 

I joined this site in 2012 and it used to give helpful advice. Now all I get is insentitive and unhelpful answers.

 

What went wrong?

[unclebulgaria67]

Nothing from what I can see. 99.9% of replies to posts to this site are helpful.

 

Have you visited other forums such as Moneysavingexpert ? On that site which is moderated much more than CAG, people act like trolls everyday. And some of the comments made to people posting would never be accepted on CAG.

 

People have opinions and they will express them. You can just ignore them.

 

If you want to provide feedback to CAG admin, there is a contact us link at the bottom of the CAG page.

 

I would post to your HB post,

but not sure I can help,

 

other than say you need to contact HB customer services to complain.

They will refund or offer another delivery.

 

I have personally never had a delivery issue with Hermes, but you have to keep watch of your door.

 

They will literally take just a minute trying to deliver,

before they put the card through the letterbox.

 

If you are in the toilet or not by the door, you will miss the delivery.

 

Any issue getting their van near your house and they won't deliver.

 

Their drivers have a stupid amount of deliveries and they won't take much time at each address they deliver to.