Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 4 February (HL4518), what measures they have taken to ensure that benefit claimants are aware of the availability of Short Term Benefit Advances; and whether they have now implemented the changes to information provision announced in December 2014.

DWP has taken steps to raise awareness of Short Term Benefit Advances. Jobcentres have posters and leaflets covering Short Term Benefit Advances and staff have been provided with updated guidance. Information is also available on GOV.UK

We are continuing to monitor the impact of this activity on the number of requests for STBAs.