Department of Work & Pensions Update

Post Office Ltd Leaflet Campaign for Post Office card account (POca) Customers

From 26 October Post Office are planning to issue a leaflet to POca customers providing them with information on opening another account. It will enable them to switch their benefit/pension payments to a standard bank account.  Approximately 1000 branches are taking part over a 3-week period handing out the leaflet when the customer makes a benefit/pension withdrawal.  As part of the on-going POca conversion activity, the leaflet advises the customer to contact the DWP dedicated team, Financial Inclusion Contact Centre (FICC). If a customer contacts their benefit/pension helpline regarding the leaflet, please direct them to the FICC on 0800 085 7133.

Autism Employment Profiling Assessment Service and Toolkit

DWP can use and signpost customers to the free Autism Employment Profiling Assessment Service (link is external) for people with an autism spectrum condition, including if they also have a mild learning disability. It is only suitable for people who have autism. The service is designed to help individuals consider suitable work options and reasonable adjustments they may need.

Childcare Support

From 1 November, eligible working parents (link is external) who receive support through the Job Support Scheme (JSS) and extended Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will continue to receive their childcare entitlements, including the 30 hours offer and Tax-Free Childcare, even if their income levels fall below the threshold temporarily whilst on these schemes

Touchbase

Touchbase is being produced weekly and is being circulated to subscribers every Friday. Although these provide a roundup of announcements and are useful for organisations they will not be published on GOV.UK Subscribe to Touchbase (link is external)

HMRC Bulletin

HMRC are issuing bulletins providing Covid-19 support through the information they provide about the latest schemes and programmes to support businesses and employees. The latest bulletin (link is external) includes details of the Job Support Scheme, Job Retention Bonus and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Kickstart Materials

The Kickstart materials (link is external) available on GOV.UK have been updated and now include ‘Tips for making a successful Kickstart Scheme application’ and ‘Guidance on choosing a Kickstart gateway’.  Also Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions (link is external) for employers and gateways receiving the Kickstart Scheme grant from the Department for Work and Pensions have been added.

Business Readiness Webinars

Over 3,000 people have attended sector-specific webinars (link is external) to help them get ready for the end of the transition period. Now with just 63 days to go until the UK’s new start, the Business Secretary Alok Sharma is encouraging firms to sign up for a second phase of webinars.

Homelessness

Care Leavers

New guidance for councils (link is external) has been published to help ensure care leavers have the stable homes they need, and prevent them from becoming homeless.

New Homes

Over £150 million is to be made available across England to provide a permanent place to live for some of the most vulnerable in society. More than 3,300 new long-term homes (link is external) for rough sleepers and other vulnerable people have been approved.

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