Who are the new COVID-19 cohort of benefit claimants?

Abstract

Altres ajuts: Economic and Social Research Council : grant ES/V003879/1

This report provides an overview of some of the key characteristics of benefit claimants and distinguishes between those who made their claim either before or after the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK. Evidence suggests that the socio-demographic profile of new claimants differs considerably from those who were already claiming before COVID-19. These differences raise questions about the inequalities that exist as people enter into the benefit system, but also the administrative and operational features that risk amplifying these inequalities or creating new ones.