Universal Credit is one monthly combined payment for the following benefits: Income Support; Income Based Job Seekers Allowance; Employment Support Allowance; Working Tax & Child Tax Credits and Housing Benefits.
Those receiving Universal Credit will then have the responsibility of paying their own housing costs. Claims for Council Tax support and free school meals will need to be made separately.
It will be rolled out in Blaenau Gwent on Wednesday, 18th July 2018.
At the start of the rollout, Universal Credit will only be paid to NEW claimants of the relevant benefits, with the aim of also changing all existing claimants over to Universal Credit by 2022. Existing claimants will also be changed over to Universal Credit if they have a relevant change in circumstances.
From the 18th all new claims for Universal Credit will need to be made online. This is where the Council can help. Benefits advisors will be available to provide support to claimants by helping them to access and complete the online forms if they are unable to do so themselves. The advisors will also be able to help with personal budgeting skills and provide help and advice on any additional financial support that may be required such as assistance with housing costs, food bank vouchers or fuel top up.
Delivering Universal Credit is a partnership between the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) and local councils. The DWP will provide claimants with a dedicated work coach throughout the life of the claim who will then help them to access employment and training with a view to returning to work.
Blaenau Gwent Council Leader, Cllr Nigel Daniels says:
“Universal Credit is a change to the benefits system introduced by the UK Government. It aims to promote a personal responsibility among claimants to manage their financial affairs and to actively seek out employment.
“We understand that this is a potentially worrying time for some of our residents, especially as we have seen that claimants elsewhere have experienced some problems with the new system. With that in mind we have been busy preparing for the changes for a while in order to mitigate any impact on our residents. We will be looking to support them through these changes, whether that is help with managing their household finances through difficult periods or training on how to use the internet in order to make an initial claim.”
If you have any questions about Universal Credit and how it may affect you please click here; or if your question is not answered here please call 01495 353398 or e-mail benefits@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk