More than 200 benefits claimants have been awarded between £200 and £3,000 in a damages settlement for losing out on income after being moved onto Universal Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions has finally addressed its new compensation scheme, which could see thousands handed payouts. In response to those who lost out on income while switching over to Universal Credit, DWP has launched this scheme.
Over 200 cash-strapped claimants have pocketed compensations ranging from £200 to £3,000 after they lost Severe Disability Premiums (SDP) during their transition onto Universal Credit, all before the Department of Work and Pensions introduced the SDP Gateway scheme that put a stop to such losses. Some claimants also missed out on the Enhanced Disability Premium (EDP) in the move.
Ryan Bradshaw, a human rights partner at Leigh Day, stepped in for a whopping 275 claimants who found their pockets lighter after the jump to Universal Credit. He believes that around 15,000 benefits claimants might be in line for financial compensation.
One claimant said to Leigh Day: “When you’re on benefits, you don’t feel secure. Every day you wait for the little brown envelope.
“The compensation has meant the difference between being able to access prepared meals which cover my nutritional needs, versus buying the cheapest ready meals which are not nutritionally balanced enough,” reports Birmingham Live. “I know people on relatively good incomes who are still struggling with the cost of living.”
Mr Bradshaw said: “I am glad to have settled this claim on behalf of my clients. However, there are thousands of others who have been similarly affected who have not been in a position to bring a claim like this.”
He continued: “They too will have experienced the loss of £180 a month after they were moved from legacy benefits onto universal credit in the years before January 2019. 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.”
A DWP spokesperson said: “Following this ruling the department has begun the process of compensating affected claimants.”
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