Money advice co-operation and APAs etc

When UC was starting up, I thought the DWP intended to take a fairly tough line with claimants seeking an Alternative Payment Arrangement if at the same time they declined money advice. Here is a clip from an email I recently received from the UC Integration Team:

“...Q. What happens if a claimant clearly needs money advice etc, but refuses to co-operate? Would it still be possible for an APA to be set up, if only to protect the claimant’s family members from eviction etc?

A. The uptake of Money Advice or Personal Budgeting Support by a Universal Credit claimant is not a mandatory requirement for receiving Universal Credit or for being referred for an Alternative Payment Arrangement, however our staff will encourage the claimant to make use of these options.”

On a related point, page 10 of the DWPs Guidance to PBS and APAs dated March 2015 confirms that as a guideline, APAs could be set for periods between 3 month and 24 months, and goes on to suggest that claimants with a mental health problem (if no one to support them) may be able to enjoy a ‘longer review period’ (not sure if they mean beyond the guideline 24 months referred to above).

These points suggest to me a soft climb down from the initial position that I thought was saying “No co-operation, no APA”, coupled to quite short APA periods etc. Maybe I got that wrong.

Can anyone in a Pathfinder area shine any light on what is actually happening in relation to these matters?

Thanks,

Steve