Benefits to be paid 'on trust' as Jobcentre suspends face-to-face assessments in Milton Keynes

A special 'trust and protect' package will ensure thousands of low income residents in MK will not go without benefits due to the coronavirus crisis, the city's Jobcentre manager has promised.

With the Jobcentre in virtual lockdown, all new and existing claimants will be dealt with online or over the telephone.

Any new claimants for Universal Credit will be taken on trust and paid up to a month's money without being checked, while existing claimants will not have to sign on or go for face-to-face assessments.

The local DWP employer adviser manager Emma Duthie told the Citizen today: "We understand people who are required to stay at home or are infected by Coronavirus may need financial support, and quickly.

"We will be trusting people to tell us the truth. As long as they let us know they are isolated or infected, we will make sure they do not suffer financially.

"We are doing this to protect the wider community and out citizens... We do not want people coming here and spreading the risk of infection."

Emma added: "If you believe that you may have been infected, or have been in close contact with someone who has, please do not delay making a claim to Universal Credit. You should stay at home and apply at the earliest opportunity."

Currently there are 13,569 people receiving benefits in MK. Several hundred of them are still on Jobseeker's allowance, which requires them to sign on fortnightly at the Jobcentre.

"These people no longer need to sign on and a time to make contact over the phone will be agreed instead," said Emma.

Many disabled people or people unable to work due to a health condition are receiving PIP, which is dependent upon regular assessment interviews.

Now, due to coronavirus, these assessments will be cancelled and people will be paid regardless.

"The important thing is that claimants tell us, either online or by telephoning, if they are self-isolating or infected. That way we can help them," said Emma.

She has warned that government guidelines about benefits could change frequently during the coronavirus pandemic. Anybody needing more information can go to the government website at www.gov.uk