SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan
People who are in extreme, exceptional or crisis situations can apply for financial assistance from Discretionary Support.
The review, commissioned by the Department for Communities, follows complaints from claimants and those within the advice sector about the failures of the system which encompasses the Discretionary Support grant, Self-Isolation grant and UC contingency fund.
Mr Durkan has pushed for changes within the system, namely the Discretionary Support self-isolation grant which he argues has failed those forced to take time off from their place of work as a result of Covid-19.
Said the Foyle MLA: “There is no doubt that the Discretionary Support system is in need of an overhaul.
“It has not served its intended purpose in meeting evident need; a fact which became glaringly apparent throughout the course of the past 16 months when many households forced to self-isolate from their place of employment and struggling to make ends meet were cruelly locked out of the self-isolation grant.
“The inadequacy of the process was evidenced in the return of £2million of unspent funds earlier in the year.
“To date Minister Hargey has displayed a half-hearted approach towards introducing an adequate self-isolation grant and is yet to confirm whether her department will extend the scheme in response to rising Covid-19 infection rates.
“The pandemic laid bare the failures of Discretionary Support and no doubt set the wheels in motion for an independent review panel into the scheme.
“Rather than helping people in financial distress, the system has forced individuals to jump through hoops and subjected them to intrusive interrogations in order to receive support to which they were entitled.
“We need to create a support initiative that is not only accessible but one that is weighed in favour of claimants instead of against them.
“I would encourage anyone with experience of the system to respond to the Discretionary Support Review Panel’s call for evidence.
“It is crucial that these voices are heard to ensure the department’s next steps towards improvement are well informed and comprehensive.
“We must ensure that people are better equipped during periods of financial emergency and that short-term financial support is getting into the hands that need it.”
You can find out more about how to share your experiences here: ulster.ac.uk or take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SoSecPolLegDivSurvey
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