Miscellaneous changes to social security in response to the COVID-19 outbreak

New DWP guidance

New guidance has been issued in relation to recent miscellaneous changes to social security made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

In particular, ADM Memo 04/20 and DMG Memo 06/20 provide guidance on the Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Regulations 2020 which provide for amendments that include - 

• the lifting of work search and work availability requirements in universal credit and jobseeker's allowance (JSA); and
• disregarding periods of sickness relating to coronavirus for the purposes of calculating short periods and extended periods of sickness in JSA.

NB - the above changes currently cease to have effect on 12 November 2020.

In relation to universal credit, ADM Memo 04/20 also advises that the regulations provide for the Secretary of State to have discretion to make variations to the application of the minimum income floor for self-employed claimants, and to increase the standard allowances for the period from 6 April 2020 to 5 April 2021 to - 

• £342.72 for single claimants under 25;
• £409.89 for single claimants aged 25 or over;
• £488.59 for joint claimants both under 25;
• £594.04 for joint claimants where either is aged 25 or over.

Lastly, DMG Memo 06/20 advises that carer's allowance claimants who are temporarily unable to care for a severely disabled person where either of them is affected by coronavirus disease can retain entitlement to carer's allowance.

ADM Memo 04/20 and DMG Memo 06/20 are available from gov.uk