In the first 8 days after lockdown 473,000 people applied for universal credit (DWP). That’s 10 times as many as would apply in an average week.
For CARBS Help to Claim Coordinator Juliet Barclay it was a measure of the anxiety millions are feeling about their jobs and livelihoods.
Challenging
“It’s been really challenging. Call volumes in those first 2 weeks were extreme. We had to get to grips with benefit changes the government was announcing as it was all happening. Things are a bit quieter now but we’re still very busy*.
“Many new claimants are capable people who never thought they would need to find out about benefits. They feel awkward and don’t really want to claim, so it’s important to reassure them. After all, it’s their right and the cause of the problem is completely out of their hands.
But rewarding
“I can honestly say it’s been one of the most memorable times. Very hard work and pressure but also rewarding to feel you’re helping people navigate something unfamiliar. I’m grateful to our whole management team who have also been working incredibly hard and been very supportive.
“My friends at Job Centre Plus Redhill and Epsom are also working completely differently. We’re still in touch though, and they know they can refer clients back to us if there are other issues. And of course there often are. The crisis doesn’t mean the usual problems have gone away, although they may be hidden which can be a problem in itself.”
* As we published, the total of new claimants had exceeded 1.4 million.
Help to Claim. Phone 0800 144 8444. Webchat Contact here Citizens Advice National Help to Claim Service via phone and webchat operates 0800-1800 Monday to Friday. For anyone who needs guidance on Universal Credit, new style Job Seekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, or the various employed/self-employed schemes announced by the Government. We also provide full benefits checks over phone and webchat for anyone wanting to know how much they will receive and if they will be better off on Universal Credit.