After the UK House directed the government to lay a plan for the WASPI Compensation scheme, the WASPI women expect the compensation payment from the government soon, however, the upcoming General election has delayed the payment. The article covers when you can expect the payment and other updates related to the WASPI.
WASPI Payment Date
The decade-long battle of WASPI women is still going on as the compensation is still due. In the previous month, the WASPI women got some relief after the House directed the government to prepare the WASPI Compensation Scheme by July 2024 based on the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) reports that claims the DWP maladministration.
The WASPI women expected the payment soon enough after the order. However, the previous UK government announced the general election on 4 July 2024, which delayed the scheme plan and eventually, the payment than the group expected.
As a result, the women who were affected by the sudden State pension age almost a decade ago would have to wait a little longer as the UK parliament is dissolved until the new government is formed. The next UK government can be formed around 7 July 2024, so the WASPI women can expect the payment in September 2024, if the government follows the House order.
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WASPI Compensation Expected Payment Amount
According to the PHSO reports, the WASPI women affected by the DWP maladministration of a sudden change in state pension age from 60 to 65 deserve Level 6 compensation of around £1000 to £3000 per person or more.
However, the WASPI group argued over the compensation and alleged that women deserve Level 6 compensation of around £10,000 per person. According to the WASPI group, the government has made a lot of profit from the State pension age change over the years.
The DWP indicates that they have no intention of following the PHSO recommendation regarding the compensation amount, hence, the affected women can expect payment amounts lower than the PHSO recommendation.
The exact amount of the WASPI compensation would only known after the Department of Work and Pension assesses all the factors for the compensation scheme and the House approves the plan for the compensation.
Who will receive the WASPI Payment?
The WASPI compensation scheme is yet to be officially announced, so the exact eligibility criteria for the compensation can be known after the scheme finally goes on paper after the election.
According to reports, the women who will most likely receive the WASPI payments are those who meet the following requirements:
- Women who were born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1960, were directly affected by the state pension age change.
- Women who were financially affected by the state pension age and the DWP’s failure to execute the change effectively.
- It is not confirmed but the family members of the women who meet the above eligibility requirements but are no longer alive may receive the compensation payment on their behalf.
The above requirement can be used to select the beneficiaries of the WASPI compensation scheme.
Impact of UK Election on WASPI payment
The UK election may affect the WASPI compensation in many ways, it can delay the process even more or change the dynamics of the WASPI compensation. The current turn of events can be in favor of the WASPI women or it could make the matter worse than it is now.
Let’s see the possible impact of the UK election on WASPI payment
- Political experts and retired bureaucrats believe the general election can slow down the proceedings that took some speed in previous months as the new government may not be concerned about this matter immediately after forming the government.
- After the election, the UK political parties are not under any pressure which can impact the WASPI payments.
- The vote of WASPI would be vital for many political parties, the parties have promised the WASPI compensation quickly when their government is formed after the election. This can turn in favor of the WASPI group as the newly formed government can immediately work on the compensation plan to keep the political image or their promise to work in favor of the citizens.
According to reports, both the Conservative and Unionist parties have agreed the PHSO recommended compensation can cost 10 billion to the UK government and they cannot afford such commitments, that’s why the parties are not promising the WASPI compensation.
Beware of the WASPI Claim form scam
The WASPI group has issued a scam alert about the WASPI compensation form. According to the news, some fraudsters have come up with a WASPI compensation claim form to get the information of the WASPI women.
According to reports, there’s been some news that claims the WASPI women will receive the compensation amount of around £1000 to £2950 and to receive the payment they must submit the claim form to DWP.
The group warns the WASPI women of such fraudulent activities and to not believe such news or pages and requests to not indulge in any WASPI claim forms. There is no WASPI claim form for the compensation as the WASPI compensation scheme is yet to be formed and approved.
The future of WASPI payments is still unclear until the new government is formed in the UK. According to reports, thousands of WASPI women expect to receive compensation for their emotional, financial, and mental loss due to State pension age change.
But, till the election is complete, and the new government is formed, the WASPI group has to wait for official action on the compensation by the next government.