Skip to main content

Consultation

Rachel Chiu reflects on the importance of lived experience as she takes up a new role with SSAC

Social Security Advisory Committee member, Rachel Chiu

I grew up in a first-generation immigrant household, and having experiences of homelessness and disability within our family, we were supported by social security benefits which provided a stepping stone out of poverty, but also demonstrated to me some of …

Les Allamby's early reflections of SSAC...the second time around!

Photograph of Les Allamby, Member of the Social Security Advisory Committee.

I never had a misspent youth. As a student I spent my Saturday mornings volunteering on a Durham market stall containing (then) DHSS[1] leaflets, answering basic queries and offering appointments for more complex issues. Not knowing what I wanted to …

Thinking about joining SSAC? My thoughts on why you should get stuck in!

I wasn’t a 'Whitehall Warrior' and so thought I didn’t have a chance of being selected when I applied to become a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC)! But it turned out they welcome and encourage a breadth …

New Style contributory benefits: how well are they working?

Work coach in discussion with customer

As part of our independent work programme we have recently started a detailed study into New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance and New Style Employment and Support Allowance. These two contributory benefits are for working age individuals who have been in paid …

Involving disabled people in social security developments that affect them

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Consultation, Disabled People, DWP, social security, SSAC Occasional Papers, Stakeholders

In our report, published today, we set out to understand how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) involves disabled people in developing, delivering and evaluating programmes that affect them. There is growing recognition across public policy – from health …

Rapid review of post-lockdown changes to social security benefits

The government response to Covid-19 has included a series of easements, adjustments and additions to social security benefit entitlements that the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has welcomed as necessary and beneficial. We recognise that the unprecedented circumstances meant many …

Social security support through complex life changes

Almost everyone in this country receives support from social security in the course of our lives, as a plethora of different circumstances change.[1] This may be a short-term change - perhaps a period of unemployment or ill-health - or longer …

Consent in Universal Credit: understanding what works

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Consultation, Legislation, social security, Stakeholders, Uncategorized, Universal Credit

In November 2018, SSAC’s report on the Universal Credit (Managed Migration) Regulations 2018 was published, along with the Government’s response. The consultation exercise that led to that report received more responses than any other SSAC consultation. Many of the organisations …

Understanding the claimant commitment: we want your evidence and insight

Image of Jobcentre workcoach in discussion with young man.

Universal Credit is the main means-tested benefit for those with low incomes, including both those not in paid work and those with low earnings. It is conditional on claimants accepting a ‘claimant commitment’ which is designed as an agreement between …