Jagna Olejniczak
@jagnaolejniczak.bsky.social
Policy Researcher at @citizensadvice.bsky.social, previously @publiclawproject.bsky.social & Government Legal Department
Excellent thread on what should guide any Jobcentre engagement with disabled claimants (many of these principles should be standard across the whole UC system - not just for those currently exempt from conditionality).
DWP plans to introduce a ‘support conversation’ for disabled claimants who don’t currently meet a work coach. My new paper explores how this conversation can be done effectively and avoid causing harm 🧵
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
A fresh start: transforming engagement with disabled benefits claimants through a case worker model
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
October 15, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Excellent thread on what should guide any Jobcentre engagement with disabled claimants (many of these principles should be standard across the whole UC system - not just for those currently exempt from conditionality).
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support
September 29, 2025 at 8:54 AM
📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
The govt wants to get more disabled people into work, but isn't making full use of the tools at its disposal
In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1
In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1
September 26, 2025 at 7:13 AM
The govt wants to get more disabled people into work, but isn't making full use of the tools at its disposal
In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1
In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
Cutting the UC health element is unlikely to incentivise disabled people to work.
But, there are other ways the government could improve work incentives within the benefits system and reduce barriers to work. My colleague @jagnaolejniczak.bsky.social has written a great report on that here:
But, there are other ways the government could improve work incentives within the benefits system and reduce barriers to work. My colleague @jagnaolejniczak.bsky.social has written a great report on that here:
September 4, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Cutting the UC health element is unlikely to incentivise disabled people to work.
But, there are other ways the government could improve work incentives within the benefits system and reduce barriers to work. My colleague @jagnaolejniczak.bsky.social has written a great report on that here:
But, there are other ways the government could improve work incentives within the benefits system and reduce barriers to work. My colleague @jagnaolejniczak.bsky.social has written a great report on that here:
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
The government argues that cutting UC health will incentivise people to work. But this unlikely...
♿ People on UC health have work-limiting conditions
🏢 There are limited accessible jobs
🎫 Being on UC health gives access to one of the most work-supporting benefits (the work allowance)
♿ People on UC health have work-limiting conditions
🏢 There are limited accessible jobs
🎫 Being on UC health gives access to one of the most work-supporting benefits (the work allowance)
September 2, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The government argues that cutting UC health will incentivise people to work. But this unlikely...
♿ People on UC health have work-limiting conditions
🏢 There are limited accessible jobs
🎫 Being on UC health gives access to one of the most work-supporting benefits (the work allowance)
♿ People on UC health have work-limiting conditions
🏢 There are limited accessible jobs
🎫 Being on UC health gives access to one of the most work-supporting benefits (the work allowance)
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
Cuts to disability benefits weren’t totally averted!
🚨New report out today explaining why the Universal Credit Bill will harm disabled people and exploring who will be impacted by the cuts.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
🚨New report out today explaining why the Universal Credit Bill will harm disabled people and exploring who will be impacted by the cuts.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Not so Universal: the two-tiered health element. How the Universal Credit Bill will create a two-tiered system for disabled people.
Briefing by Victoria Anns on how the Universal Credit Bill will create a two-tiered system for disabled people.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
September 2, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Cuts to disability benefits weren’t totally averted!
🚨New report out today explaining why the Universal Credit Bill will harm disabled people and exploring who will be impacted by the cuts.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
🚨New report out today explaining why the Universal Credit Bill will harm disabled people and exploring who will be impacted by the cuts.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
ICYMI We published 2 excellent briefs on Universal Credit recently, feeding into the government's review of how well Universal Credit is (not) working 🧵
August 12, 2025 at 11:27 AM
ICYMI We published 2 excellent briefs on Universal Credit recently, feeding into the government's review of how well Universal Credit is (not) working 🧵
A thorough analysis by @julia-rt.bsky.social and @drsarahhadfield.bsky.social of how Universal Credit reacts to fluctuating incomes and pay cycles that do not align with UC assessment periods.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
August 7, 2025 at 1:02 PM
A thorough analysis by @julia-rt.bsky.social and @drsarahhadfield.bsky.social of how Universal Credit reacts to fluctuating incomes and pay cycles that do not align with UC assessment periods.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
Crucial message from Citizen's Advice: "When both working full-time and claiming maximum benefit entitlement leaves one in a low-income limbo, focusing on making the former slightly more financially beneficial than the latter is only ever going to have a limited impact on outcomes..." (1/2)
August 1, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Crucial message from Citizen's Advice: "When both working full-time and claiming maximum benefit entitlement leaves one in a low-income limbo, focusing on making the former slightly more financially beneficial than the latter is only ever going to have a limited impact on outcomes..." (1/2)
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
Great report from Jagna showing that UC incentives to work are often misguided and overly complex. Instead what we need is more investment in supporting people to find and stay in suitable work 👇
The narrative around Universal Credit has long centred around work incentives.
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Work incentives aren't working: is the Universal Credit review asking the right questions?
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
July 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Great report from Jagna showing that UC incentives to work are often misguided and overly complex. Instead what we need is more investment in supporting people to find and stay in suitable work 👇
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
Excellent briefing and thread from @jagnaolejniczak.bsky.social 👇
We looked into how our clients really experience the transition to work from the Universal Credit system, suggesting work incentives are helpful but not adequate, and wider barriers to employment are being overlooked
We looked into how our clients really experience the transition to work from the Universal Credit system, suggesting work incentives are helpful but not adequate, and wider barriers to employment are being overlooked
The narrative around Universal Credit has long centred around work incentives.
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Work incentives aren't working: is the Universal Credit review asking the right questions?
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
July 30, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Excellent briefing and thread from @jagnaolejniczak.bsky.social 👇
We looked into how our clients really experience the transition to work from the Universal Credit system, suggesting work incentives are helpful but not adequate, and wider barriers to employment are being overlooked
We looked into how our clients really experience the transition to work from the Universal Credit system, suggesting work incentives are helpful but not adequate, and wider barriers to employment are being overlooked
The narrative around Universal Credit has long centred around work incentives.
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Work incentives aren't working: is the Universal Credit review asking the right questions?
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
July 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The narrative around Universal Credit has long centred around work incentives.
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Excellent deep dive report and a thread on the intersection of health inequalities and low-quality employment in Chapeltown by @dremilylynn.bsky.social: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
July 15, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Excellent deep dive report and a thread on the intersection of health inequalities and low-quality employment in Chapeltown by @dremilylynn.bsky.social: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
A long thread on why the concessions in and around the UCPIP Bill (ie the disability benefits cuts) are illusory, disingenuous and potentially makes things worse 🧵
There are 5 big myths to bust -fifth is the most difficult to untangle, but the most significant in my view, so please do bear with 🙂
There are 5 big myths to bust -fifth is the most difficult to untangle, but the most significant in my view, so please do bear with 🙂
June 30, 2025 at 10:48 AM
A long thread on why the concessions in and around the UCPIP Bill (ie the disability benefits cuts) are illusory, disingenuous and potentially makes things worse 🧵
There are 5 big myths to bust -fifth is the most difficult to untangle, but the most significant in my view, so please do bear with 🙂
There are 5 big myths to bust -fifth is the most difficult to untangle, but the most significant in my view, so please do bear with 🙂
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
Today, the government laid its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill before parliament. But what's actually in the bill and what happens next?
New blog out now: wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/why-were-ask...
New blog out now: wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/why-were-ask...
Why we’re asking MPs to vote against the bill to cut disability benefits
Today, the government laid its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill before parliament. It details plans to cut billions…
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
June 18, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Today, the government laid its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill before parliament. But what's actually in the bill and what happens next?
New blog out now: wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/why-were-ask...
New blog out now: wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/why-were-ask...
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
We've called for a national framework for crisis support, ensuring there's a consistent minimum standard of support wherever you live - reaping the rewards of a local approach with less risk of postcode lottery.
The new Fund could be a chance to build in key principles of effective crisis support ⬇️
The new Fund could be a chance to build in key principles of effective crisis support ⬇️
The future of crisis support: a discussion paper
The future of crisis support: a discussion paper - paper by Julia Ruddick-Trentmann on the future of crisis support and the Household Support Fund
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
June 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
We've called for a national framework for crisis support, ensuring there's a consistent minimum standard of support wherever you live - reaping the rewards of a local approach with less risk of postcode lottery.
The new Fund could be a chance to build in key principles of effective crisis support ⬇️
The new Fund could be a chance to build in key principles of effective crisis support ⬇️
Some brilliant ideas for Jobcentres reform from @kslharrison.bsky.social ⬇️
Its time for change in Jobcentres, but how do we do it? My new paper proposes a vision for Jobcentre reform. The central idea is to introduce case workers, who would be service users’ main point of contact and offer ongoing pastoral and practical support 🧵
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
The case for case workers: reimagining the Jobcentre service
Discussion paper by Kate Harrison on the future of jobcentres and work coaches
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
June 5, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Some brilliant ideas for Jobcentres reform from @kslharrison.bsky.social ⬇️
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
The Pathways to Work Green Paper sets out plans to cut billions from health and disability benefits.
Instead of getting people into work, these cuts will push hundreds of thousands into poverty.
Our new report looks at the impact of cuts to PIP, UC health & scrapping the WCA (🧵)
Instead of getting people into work, these cuts will push hundreds of thousands into poverty.
Our new report looks at the impact of cuts to PIP, UC health & scrapping the WCA (🧵)
Pathways to Poverty: How planned cuts to disability benefits will impact the people we support
Pathways to Poverty: How planned cuts to disability benefits will impact the people we support
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
May 28, 2025 at 8:50 AM
The Pathways to Work Green Paper sets out plans to cut billions from health and disability benefits.
Instead of getting people into work, these cuts will push hundreds of thousands into poverty.
Our new report looks at the impact of cuts to PIP, UC health & scrapping the WCA (🧵)
Instead of getting people into work, these cuts will push hundreds of thousands into poverty.
Our new report looks at the impact of cuts to PIP, UC health & scrapping the WCA (🧵)
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
Work won’t cut it
New briefing for @citizensadvice.bsky.social by me and @beccastacey.bsky.social
We look at whether people losing PIP and UC income will be better off *if* they move into employment, if reforms were implemented today
Here's a quick 🧵 but spoiler alert: probably not
New briefing for @citizensadvice.bsky.social by me and @beccastacey.bsky.social
We look at whether people losing PIP and UC income will be better off *if* they move into employment, if reforms were implemented today
Here's a quick 🧵 but spoiler alert: probably not
May 20, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Work won’t cut it
New briefing for @citizensadvice.bsky.social by me and @beccastacey.bsky.social
We look at whether people losing PIP and UC income will be better off *if* they move into employment, if reforms were implemented today
Here's a quick 🧵 but spoiler alert: probably not
New briefing for @citizensadvice.bsky.social by me and @beccastacey.bsky.social
We look at whether people losing PIP and UC income will be better off *if* they move into employment, if reforms were implemented today
Here's a quick 🧵 but spoiler alert: probably not
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
1️⃣ we're in the 7th cycle of the Household Support Fund
2️⃣ its future is still uncertain
3️⃣ and we still see record demand for crisis support
... so what should come next?
New Citizens Advice paper on the future of crisis support + how to realise an approach that’s more than a sticking plaster🩹👇
2️⃣ its future is still uncertain
3️⃣ and we still see record demand for crisis support
... so what should come next?
New Citizens Advice paper on the future of crisis support + how to realise an approach that’s more than a sticking plaster🩹👇
The future of crisis support: a discussion paper
The future of crisis support: a discussion paper - paper by Julia Ruddick-Trentmann on the future of crisis support and the Household Support Fund
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
May 2, 2025 at 8:21 AM
1️⃣ we're in the 7th cycle of the Household Support Fund
2️⃣ its future is still uncertain
3️⃣ and we still see record demand for crisis support
... so what should come next?
New Citizens Advice paper on the future of crisis support + how to realise an approach that’s more than a sticking plaster🩹👇
2️⃣ its future is still uncertain
3️⃣ and we still see record demand for crisis support
... so what should come next?
New Citizens Advice paper on the future of crisis support + how to realise an approach that’s more than a sticking plaster🩹👇
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
The new government has committed to reducing health inequalities. At Citizens Advice, we have a unique insight into many of the different factors that can shape people’s health. So it’s exciting to be leading a new project, funded by @healthfoundation.bsky.social, to study this important topic.
April 30, 2025 at 8:43 AM
The new government has committed to reducing health inequalities. At Citizens Advice, we have a unique insight into many of the different factors that can shape people’s health. So it’s exciting to be leading a new project, funded by @healthfoundation.bsky.social, to study this important topic.
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
Extraordinary use of statistics. DWP might as well claim their proposals will massively improve child mortality because they have decided not to proceed with Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents. The ‘previous Conservative plans’ are not in effect, are not law, and the Conservatives are not in power!
In summary: The 250k net poverty rise in impact assessment is extra to an assumed 150k rise that previous Conservative plans would have created - even they never happened. But DWP has assumed that increase was already on the books and added to it. Real poverty impact is 400k. 7/7
March 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Extraordinary use of statistics. DWP might as well claim their proposals will massively improve child mortality because they have decided not to proceed with Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents. The ‘previous Conservative plans’ are not in effect, are not law, and the Conservatives are not in power!
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
Disability benefit cuts will cause widespread hardship, no questions asked
Quick thread 🧵 on the impact of cuts on why the govt needs to properly consult - or see the full post at:
medium.com/@craig.berry...
Quick thread 🧵 on the impact of cuts on why the govt needs to properly consult - or see the full post at:
medium.com/@craig.berry...
Disability benefit cuts will cause widespread hardship, no questions asked
Craig Berry takes a first look at the Pathways to Work green paper, finding that — despite large income losses for many disabled people —…
medium.com
March 27, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Disability benefit cuts will cause widespread hardship, no questions asked
Quick thread 🧵 on the impact of cuts on why the govt needs to properly consult - or see the full post at:
medium.com/@craig.berry...
Quick thread 🧵 on the impact of cuts on why the govt needs to properly consult - or see the full post at:
medium.com/@craig.berry...
Reposted by Jagna Olejniczak
Just over a year ago my PIP review was launched. By the time I got the letter in the post, I realised I had just 3 days left to prove my entitlement. Otherwise, my PIP might be stopped.
That just isn’t enough time!
New blog below ⬇️
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/race-against...
That just isn’t enough time!
New blog below ⬇️
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/race-against...
Race against time: how short deadlines to return PIP forms are harming disabled people
I was baffled when I received my Personal Independence Payment (PIP) review letter.
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
March 12, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Just over a year ago my PIP review was launched. By the time I got the letter in the post, I realised I had just 3 days left to prove my entitlement. Otherwise, my PIP might be stopped.
That just isn’t enough time!
New blog below ⬇️
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/race-against...
That just isn’t enough time!
New blog below ⬇️
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/race-against...