Claiming but connected to work : Welfare at a (Social) Distance Rapid Report #1

This report presents the first findings from the Welfare at a (Social) Distance project, a major national research project investigating the benefits system during the COVID19 pandemic, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council as part of UK Research and Innovation’s rapid response to COVID-19. It draws upon a new survey of 2,364 new Universal Credit (UC)/Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) claimants (carried out between 25th May and 3rd June) to look at how far benefit claimants are connected to the world of work, helping to better understand the emerging picture from recent UK labour market statistics

Claiming But Connected to Work

This report presents the first findings from the Welfare at a (Social) Distance project, a major national research project investigating the benefits system during the COVID-19 pandemic, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council as part of UK Research and Innovation’s rapid response to COVID-19. It draws upon a new survey of 2,364 new Universal Credit (UC)/Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) claimants (carried out between 25th May and 3rd June) to look at how far benefit claimants are connected to the world of work, helping to better understand the emerging picture from recent UK labour market statistics

At the edge of the safety net: Unsuccessful benefits claims at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

There has been much scrutiny of the British benefits system during COVID-19, and most experts agree that the benefits system has performed well, even if historic weaknesses remain. Yet little attention has been paid to those who start a claim that is ultimately not successful. This report focuses on these ‘unsuccessful claimants’, using new YouGov survey data and interview evidence funded by the Health Foundation

Claimants’ experiences of the social security system during the first wave of COVID-19

COVID-19 arrived in the UK early in March 2020. By 23rd March 2020, the UK experienced the first national lockdown. As businesses and livelihoods stalled, an unprecedented number of applications were made for Universal Credit (UC). Drawing on data from the most comprehensive national study examining working-age benefits — i.e. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) and Universal Credit (UC) — during the pandemic, this report provides an understanding of the experiences of benefit claimants during the first wave of COVID-1

At the edge of the safety net : unsuccessful benefits claims at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic - Welfare at a (Social) Distance Rapid Report #3

There has been much scrutiny of the British benefits system during COVID-19, and most experts agree that the benefits system has performed well, even if historic weaknesses remain. Yet little attention has been paid to those who start a claim that is ultimately not successful. This report focuses on these ‘unsuccessful claimants’, using new YouGov survey data and interviews funded by the Health Foundation. Unsuccessful claimants raise two policy issues. Firstly, some claims are unsuccessful because of problems with the process of claiming benefits. Did the changes made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in response to COVID-19 ensure that everyone could navigate the system? Secondly, some claims are unsuccessful because of the design of the benefits system: these people are not eligible for benefits. This reflects decisions by policymakers about the purpose of a policy and how this can best be achieved, balanced against wider impacts including poverty, health and wellbeing; the public finances; and the wider economy