As a result of the effects of the coronavirus outbreak, the Government has made changes to the employment and disability benefits system. This could affect the support autistic people are able to access. Both the processes of applying for and receiving benefits have changed, as well as the level of support people get during this period. These changes apply if you are unemployed or looking for work, are in work at the moment, or need disability benefits. Since the Government announced a new national ‘lockdown’ for England from 4 January, economic support will continue to be in place. Jobcentre sites remain open to help customers who need face-to-face support and cannot be helped in any other way, although people can also be supported by Work Coaches online and over the phone.
Changes to the process of applying for disability benefits

The Government has announced measures aimed at speeding up access to certain benefits and making sure people can access these benefits safely from their own home during the coronavirus outbreak. This is what has changed:

• Assessments: For many benefits, claimants have to attend assessments to determine their eligibility and the level of support they need. Face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits are not happening at the moment to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Anyone with an assessment appointment will be contacted by phone or email to discuss how the assessment will go ahead.
• Reviews: Reviews and reassessments for all disability benefits have been suspended. If your benefits are due to expire the end-date will be extended by six months. This means you’ll continue to receive your existing level of financial support. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) should write to you and tell you the end date has changed – if you haven’t received this, get in touch with them as soon as you can. If your circumstances have changed, for example if your situation has changed and you think you are entitled to a higher amount, you can still request a phone or postal review.
• Applying for Universal Credit: If you need to make a new claim for Universal Credit, you will no longer need to call the DWP. You should apply online and DWP will call you if they need to check any of the information. They will also message you on your online journal.

Changes to benefits entitlements

The Government has changed the amount of money some people are entitled to during the coronavirus outbreak. It made these changes because lots of people are facing increased uncertainty with their jobs in the current environment.

• Changes to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits: On 6 April 2020, the Universal Credit standard allowance and the Working Tax Credit basic element increased by £20 a week (above the planned increase that happens every year). This applies to all Universal Credit claimants and to existing Working Tax Credit claimants. If you are already claiming Universal Credit, you will continue to receive it. If you are claiming it for the first time, you will have to wait at least five weeks for the same payment, so you should apply as soon as possible. You will also be able to make a claim for an advance payment while you are waiting for your Universal Credit payment. Any interviews will be carried out over the phone. You can read more about Universal Credit on the Government website.
• Changes to Employment and Support Allowance: If you can't work because you are unwell, and you have paid enough National Insurance Contributions, you might be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (New Style). This is a fortnightly payment and for eligible people who are unwell, including because they have coronavirus. It is payable from the first day of sickness. You can find out more information about Employment and Support Allowance (New Style) and find out if you are eligible on the Government’s website. You can read about general Employment and Support Allowance here.
• Statutory Sick Pay: Employees can get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if they fall ill due to coronavirus or have to self-isolate, worth £95.85 a week for up to 28 weeks. As a temporary measure, it will be paid from the first day of sickness absence, rather than the fourth. You can also apply for this if you cannot work and have to self-isolate because you live in the same household or are in the same bubble as someone who has displayed coronavirus symptoms. The Government says people who are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay should claim Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance. As most people will be advised to stop shielding from 1 April, the Government has announced that shielding will no longer be a reason to receive SSP. However, if you are still shielding after 1 April you can ask your employer to be ‘furloughed’ on the Job Retention Scheme. More information about this is below.
• Support for people who are self-employed: If you are self-employed or a member of a partnership, you may be eligible for the Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme fourth grant. This means you can receive 80% of three months’ average trading profits, paid out in a single instalment and capped at £7,500. The grant will be available from late April 2021 until 31 May 2021. You can check if you are eligible and find out more on the Government website. There will also be a fifth and final grant for the same amount covering May to September 2021, and you will be able to claim from late July if you are eligible for this.

Benefits sanctions

There are still sanctions on benefits, including Universal Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance, if you are not looking for work or not available for work. This means that your benefits can be stopped or reduced if you don’t do the things you agreed to do or if you miss appointments or meetings. This had been temporarily suspended in 2020 because Jobcentres were closed, but these have now reopened. During the temporary lockdown in England from 4 January, people are still able to visit Jobcentre Plus sites if they need face-to-face support.

Financial support for people in work

The Government has also made a number of changes to the financial support people in work can get during the coronavirus outbreak. These changes may have a significant impact on autistic people who are employed or self-employed during this period. We have highlighted the most significant changes that will affect autistic people and their families below and will keep this page updated with the latest information.

Job Retention Scheme

For March through to October 2020, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (or furlough) helped employers who couldn’t afford to pay staff wages, so they didn’t have to make people redundant during the coronavirus outbreak. The Government has now said that the scheme will be extended until September 2021. Under the extended scheme, employees receive 80% of their current salary for hours they don’t work, up to a maximum of £2,500. This is covered by the Government. Employers are asked to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions for the hours employees do not work, which will usually amount to 5% of total employment costs. You can still be furloughed before 30 April 2021 if you were not on the scheme originally, but you must have been on your employer’s PAYE payroll by 31 October 2020.

For periods starting on or after 1 May 2021, you can be furloughed if you were employed by 2 March 2021 as long as your employer has notified HMRC about a payment of earnings for you.

For periods ending on or before 30 June 2021, employers can claim 80% of an employee’s usual salary for hours not worked from the Government, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month. From 1 July 2021, the level of grant will be reduced each month and employers will be asked to contribute towards the cost of their furloughed employees’ wages.

Business premises which are forced to close temporarily in England because of the lockdown will also receive grants worth up to £3,000 per month under the Local Restrictions Support Grant. 

You can read more information on the Government’s website, as well as information for employers on claiming their employees’ wages through the scheme.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

If your business has been affected by coronavirus you might be able to get money from the Government, for example if you've:

• lost out on income
• had to stop working to look after someone

You may be eligible for the Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme fourth grant. This means you can receive 80% of three months’ average trading profits, paid out in a single instalment and capped at £7,500. The grant will be available from late April 2021 until 31 May 2021. You can check if you are eligible and find out more on the Government website. There will also be a fifth and final grant for the same amount covering May to September 2021, and you will be able to claim from late July if you are eligible for this.

You won’t have to pay the money back, but you’ll have to pay tax on it. Read more about this on Citizen’s Advice.

Going to work

The Government has said that everyone who can work from home must do so during the national lockdown in England announced on 4 January. Although rules are changing during the ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown, people are still advised to work from home if they can until further notice. Read more about going out and shielding here. There’s also more information about what to do, and what your rights are when working from home on the ACAS website. If you have to go in to work, avoid public transport to travel to and from work if you can. Read more about going to work on our page here.

Sharing your story

We will keep speaking up and showing the Government the impact of these changes on autistic people and their families during this time. Please share your experiences, and any worries or concerns you have, with us by emailing stories@nas.org.uk.