Benefits ‘Scrooge effect’ could leave families penniless over Christmas

Sorry to mention this on a summer’s day….

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/benefits-scrooge-effect-could-leave-10733968

Note the one-size -fits-all DWP response.

I believe this would have been a stronger argument, if the case had been made for a delay for over the whole winter period. The combination of cold weather and no money for utilities is surely a significant risk factor eg where young infants, are in a household.

Given the waiting time for initial payments, the “Scrooge Effect” will hit most people who claim during November and early December.

“Transforming people’s lives” indeed!