In an interview with BBC News yesterday, Stephen called the five-week wait for Universal Credit a “fatal flaw”, and questioned whether those who are asking for an advance are getting it urgently or not.
Stephen appealed for people who are experiencing claiming benefits for the first time during the Covid-19 crisis as well as those who have claimed previously, to get in touch with the Work and Pensions Select Committee.
The Work and Pensions Select Committee are looking into DWP’s response to the coronavirus crisis following reports of unprecedented demand. Nearly a million new benefit claims were made between 16 March and 3 April this year.
Stephen said: “So we can better understand the issues faced by people who rely on the benefits system, we’d like to hear from people about their experiences getting the support they need. We are keen to hear about any specific problems claiming benefits and also more generally about whether people are getting enough money to support themselves and their families during these immensely difficult days.”
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