A DWP spokesperson said their policy on food bank referrals had not changed. “Jobcentres will signpost people to food banks and other services according to their individual circumstances, as part of their support to help people manage their finances and get into work,” the spokesperson added.
As I said in original thread pretty much all foodbanks require those needing help to have a referral from a third party who has done a 'gateway' interview to ascertain their circumstances/needs. If that person is in wait period for Universal Credit or has been sanctioned there's a rational case for JCP (Job Centre Plus) referring them direct rather than 'signposting' them to join all the other punters waiting to see an Assessor at (say) their Local Citizens Advice (I have to learn to use LCA in place of CAB - we've dropped Bureau from our title). Some JCP offices in Sussex seem to have cottoned onto to logic of that.
But it doesn't go down well in DWP HQ (who've not yet caught up with fact that Amber Rudd has finally accepted UC and sanctions being major drivers in rise in food bank usage.
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The Foodbank Thread. new
The Foodbank Thread. new
