When Universal Credit is finally introduced, those earning less than the equivalent of the minimum wage for 35 hours a week will be forced to constantly look for more or better paid work to qualify for in-work benefits such as Tax Credits and Housing Benefit. Part time workers could face being sent on workfare in the hours they are not at work and will have to prove to Jobcentre busybodies that they are constantly looking for another, better paid job.
Currently sanctions are usually only inflicted on unemployed people, lone parents or those on sickness or disability benefiits. Sanctions are often imposed for the most trivial reason such as being a few minutes late for a meeting with the Jobcentre. At pressent Housing Benefits, which allow people to at least keep a roof over their heads, cannot be sanctioned.
This will all change for part-time workers who will now face possible eviction if they upset the Jobcentre according to Inside Housing who warn this could affect up to a million workers. The number of people in work reliant on Housing Benefits has soared in recent years as social housing has been eroded, whilst wages stagnated and private sector rents climbed to eye-watering levels.
http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2014/02/27/part-time-workers-to-face-housing-benefit-sanctions/
From the Department for Work and Pensions:
You may get a visit from a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) officer to check that your benefits payments are correct.
A Performance Measurement review officer may visit you if you’re claiming:
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Pension Credit
Your name is selected at random to be checked. You won’t always get a letter in advance telling you about the visit. (Last updated: 2 June 2014)
https://www.gov.uk/dwp-visit
Previously councils have dealt with all aspects of Housing Benefit, not the DWP. The confusion and worry these changes in Housing Benefit checks are causing is well illustrated on the Net Mums forum:
http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/general-coffeehouse-chat-514/news-current-affairs-topical-discussion-12/596088-dwp-home-visit-housing-benefit-all.html
Single parent mothers will suffer a double pronged attack. Already perceived by the Government as the cause of most social ills, those in part-time work will be hounded to do more - or else - whilst juggling child care as soon as their children start school. They must also make themselves available for random Housing Benefit checks. No doubt, in Scotland, the named-persons, where they exist, trained to perceive the stress but not its root causes, will wish to visit as well to push ahead with their early interventions. Parenting classes anybody!
If ever a system was designed to push struggling parents over the edge, this is it.
How about a bit of reality instead? There are not enough jobs providing a living wage for those who need them.
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