Coronavirus: The newly jobless struggle to claim benefits
"I just can't get through at all," Mr Hume told BBC News."On another few times when I've got through, I've been on hold for two hours and then my network has just cut me off.Tens of thousands of people have become eligible to apply for Universal Credit in recent days due to the economic consequences of Covid-19.
In a statement on Monday night, the Department for Work and Pensions had urged applicants to use their online system after days of people using social media to complain about being unable to get through to their telephone support lines. One user reported spending more than 15 hours in total over three days waiting to speak to a benefits official, while several others posted screenshots of phone calls lasting more than two hours.The government announced on Monday that all job centres would be closed for everyone but"the most vulnerable claimants who cannot access DWP services" by other means - urging claimants to use online and telephone support.
In a statement, the DWP said it was taking"unprecedented" action to ensure people received the support they needed."In addition, the department is expecting to recruit 1,500 extra people to aid the effort," the statement continued.
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