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Social security support, “light-touch” discussions without the threat or potential of a sanction

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Dear Department for Communities (Northern Ireland),

Please email me a copy of your internal policies, guidance and operational procedures the DfC is using to apply the actions and policies outlined in the quotes below, which are from the SSAC report 'A review of the COVID-19 temporary measures: occasional paper 24 ' publsihed today.

References

A review of the COVID-19 temporary measures: occasional paper 24

Published 18 November 2020

"For new claims made from 8 July 2020, DfC will instigate “light-touch” discussions without the threat or potential of a sanction, in recognition of the challenging circumstances people still find themselves in."

"The approach by DfC is that the reintroduced work search conversations and the claimant commitment for new Universal Credit claimants will involve a light-touch discussion that will seek to support and help those new to Universal Credit, and that it will not involve the threat or potential of a sanction for non-compliance."

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...

Yours faithfully,

Frank Zola

DfC FOI, Department for Communities (Northern Ireland)

COVID-19 Virus – Information for Requesters.

 

Thank you for contacting the Department for Communities FOI team,

 

While FOI law still applies during this time the Department is facing
unprecedented pressures – for example as a result of staff absences,
office closures, or a significant increase in demand for our services,
such as access to benefits. 

 

Therefore we may find it challenging to respond to information requests
within the 20 working day timescale set out in law.

 

We would ask requesters to think about the impact of Covid-19 when making
a request. Your information rights remain vitally important, and the FOI
principles of openness, transparency and accountability will play an
essential role in supporting public trust at this difficult time. 
However, if you're planning a request, it's worth thinking about whether
there is any way the request might be narrowed to reduce its impact and
speed up your response.

 

Following guidance from the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), we
will keep requesters informed of any delays and will respond as soon as
resources allow.

We will also be keeping up to date on guidance from the ICO as the
situation changes to ensure that we comply with any changes or amendments
to information rights practice.

 

Helen Lindsay | Information Management Branch | Department for Communities

Level 5 | Nine Lanyon Place | BELFAST | BT1 3LP

Contact: * [1][email address] | ( Tel: (028) 9082
9117 | ( DD: 38117

 

Supporting people, Building communities, Shaping places. 

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]

Fitzpatrick Sheila NISSA BELFAST CASTLE COURT,

2 Attachments

Dear Mr Zola

 

 

Please see attached response to your Freedom of Information request
regarding Universal Credit COVID 19 Temporary Measures

 

 

Thank you

 

[1]cid:image001.png@01D6BF59.6C0D3DD0

 

Sheila Fitzpatrick| Operational Control Centre – Universal Credit |
Department for Communities

|CastleCourt | Royal Avenue | Belfast | BT1 1DD

Contact: * [2][email address]  Tel: 02890 406869

 

 

 

Supporting people, Building communities, Shaping places

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
2. mailto:[email address]

Fitzpatrick Sheila NISSA BELFAST CASTLE COURT,

7 Attachments

 

Dear Mr Zola

 

Please see attached response to your Freedom of Information request
Universal Credit COVID-19 Temporary Measures received on 18 November 2020

 

 

 

Thank you

 

 

Sheila Fitzpatrick| Operational Control Centre – Universal Credit |
Department for Communities

|CastleCourt | Royal Avenue | Belfast | BT1 1DD

Contact: * [1][email address]  Tel: 02890 406869

 

 

Supporting people, Building communities, Shaping places

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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