Universal Credit is about to be rolled out to Leicester - and tens of thousands of claimants are likely to be affected. The move will see various benefits replaced with a single payment. There have been calls for the roll-out process to be put on hold after problems during launch in other parts of the country. The Government has stated that claimants who do not have enough to live on while they wait for their first payment can ask for an advance payment. This loan can be requested at the Universal Credit interview or by calling the helpline after a claim has been made. A hardship payment can also be requested if the claimant cannot pay for rent, heating, food or hygiene needs because of a sanction. But it will need to pay it back through your Universal Credit payments - they’ll be lower until the money is repaid. What is Universal Credit? The Government describes it as a payment to people with your living costs. People may be eligible for Universal Credit if they are on a low … [Read more...] about Universal Credit due in Leicester
Universal credit
Universal Credit roll-out blamed as town tops jobless claimant league
Hartlepool has the highest out-of-work benefit claimant rate in the country, according to the latest figures. But DWP bosses say the picture is complicated by the advanced roll-out of Universal Credit across the town.The latest Official Labour Market Statistics show there were 4,370 claimants in the town, a rate of 7.6% of the eligible working age population, and 1.7% more than second-placed Great Yarmouth.But JobCentre Plus’ Diane Luke said Hartlepool had been one of the first areas in the country to go over to Universal Credit Full Service – which includes people who are in low-income work and would previously have been claiming Working Families Tax Credit – as well as those looking for a job.“We rolled it out in 2016, so it has been more than a year now, but we still have areas in Durham and Tees Valley that won’t actually go over to Full Service until November,” she said.Hartlepool MP Mike Hill said: “Clearly this is not an acceptable … [Read more...] about Universal Credit roll-out blamed as town tops jobless claimant league
‘Decades to perfect’ universal credit
Education & Family By Hannah Richardson BBC News education and social affairs reporter 8 February 2017 Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with Messenger Share this with Messenger Share this with Email Share Share this with These are external links and will open in a new window Email Share this with Email Facebook Share this with Facebook Messenger Share this with Messenger Messenger Share this with Messenger Twitter Share this with Twitter Pinterest Share this with Pinterest WhatsApp Share this with WhatsApp LinkedIn Share this with LinkedIn Copy this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-38905930 Read more about sharing. These are external links and will open in a new window Close share panel The architect of the troubled universal credit (UC) system says it could take "decades" to get it working at its most effective level.Lord … [Read more...] about ‘Decades to perfect’ universal credit
Ballymoney next for controversial Universal Credit roll out
A specialist advice provider is warning Ballymoney residents about the impact the controversial Universal Credit could have on their housing situation. The new credit will be introduced in the town on November 15. It will replace Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Income based Job Seekers Allowance and income related Employment and Support Allowance.Anyone of working age who gets these benefits will be affected, according to the charity Housing Rights, which works to improve lives by tackling homelessness and housing problems.Recent figures show that half of all council tenants across 105 English local authorities who receive the housing element of universal credit are at least a month behind on their rent, with 30% two months behind.Ursula Toner, Advice manager with Housing Rights, said: “From 15 November Ballymoney residents claiming any of the above benefits for the first time will have to make a new online application for Universal Credit. … [Read more...] about Ballymoney next for controversial Universal Credit roll out
Complex rules for universal credit see one in five claims fail
Fears are emerging over the complexity of the government’s new welfare system after data revealed that one in five applicants is being turned down because they are failing to comply with the application process. Ministers have already been forced to slow down the rollout of universal credit and to ensure that claimants receive their payments sooner after concerns that some were waiting well over a month for funds and were facing mounting rent arrears. Some welfare campaigners now fear that the complexity of the application system has left thousands of applicants falling foul of the rules. According to data released under the Freedom of Information Act, which analysed applications for universal credit over one month, a fifth were turned down because of “non-compliance with the process”. Of those, half failed to book an initial interview. The rules state that if the applicant has not called a helpline to set up an interview within a week of making their application, … [Read more...] about Complex rules for universal credit see one in five claims fail