Hello- not sure if this is the right place for this post so feel free to move it if I'd put it in the wrong place!
I work with people who are affected by severe mental illness. The changover to these clients from weekly to fortnightly payments could cause some real problems. Some have just learnt to manage weekly budgeting, others could be at risk of simply not being able to manage having 2weeks worth of money deposited into their accounts, those who are vulnerable to drugs and alcohol, manic spending episodes etc.
I notice in an article in Adviser 132 (March/April) there was a suggestion that weekly payments could continue to be possible for 'vulnerable' claimants and although this would not be cited in the legislation specifically it could be in DWP guidance.
I guess my questions are:
- Has anyone had any success in keeping a client's payments weekly rather than changing to fortnightly? - Does anyone know where I could find the DWP guidance in relation to this and if it does say anything about vulnerable claimants? -Is anyone else concerned about this?
Thanks very much in advance
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