Petition to increase JSA & ESA

Sazmadoodle

It's great that the government have increased Working Tax Credit and Universal Credit, but that doesn't help those people on the old style benefits, who still have increased utility bills from staying at home, and need to pay supermarket delivery charges, etc. Although I'd hate to think our government was using the untimely deaths of thousands for it's own ends, it does seem like this is a ploy to move people over to Universal Credit before they otherwise would. That would be bad enough in itself, but the DWP don't seem to be providing the usual Advances at the moment, meaning people can't get any help for the 5 week waiting period before the first payment. This crisis isn't the time to be putting people at least 3 weeks behind on their rent and 5 weeks behind on their other bills. I'm quite surprised the media has been silent on this. Does anyone know of any petitions I can sign calling for the old style benefits to be increased too?

Sazmadoodle

Just to clarify, by "old style benefits" I'm referring to ESA and Jobseekers Allowance, as Working Tax Credits are an old style benefit too. Maybe Income Support claimants who just get Child Tax Credits might be affected too, I don't know.

poppy12345

Increased utility bills? those that claim ESA and JSA would normally be staying at home anyway because they wouldn't be working, unless they claim ESA and do permitted work. I claim ESA and my bills have been less because warmer weather and lighter nights and yes, i'm home all the time. I've actually saved money during lockdown because i'm not able to go anywhere to spend money, other than essential food shopping.

No, i've not heard of any petitions to increase the legacy benefits.

sharpe106

What extra costs have you had that you did not have before?

KxMx

Someone previously on UC with a LCW/LCWRA or job seeking element is in exactly the same situation as someone on ESA/JSA.
Yet due to coronavirus they get an increase in benefit and legacy claimants do not. 
There are over 100 charities/organisations calling this discrimination and I agree.
Source and petition :
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2020/april/dr-uk-says-sign-petition-increase-disability-benefits