By the end of this month the government will have completed its roll-out of Universal Credit (UC) across County Durham. From dealing with residents' queries over the past few months we know that there have been a number of difficulties experienced by those caught up in the transition from the usual benefits system and the UC full service.
Those difficulties are likely to continue in future for other claimants as they move into the UC regime as and when specific personal circumstances change, so we thought it might be helpful at this point to publish an updated advice note we've received from county hall:
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) started phasing in Universal Credit (UC) Full Service in County Durham by Jobcentre Plus area from October last year.
The UC Full Service will replace new claims across the county for the following means-tested benefits and tax credits for most working age people:
Income
Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Housing Benefit
Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
Existing claimants of means-tested benefits will move onto UC if they have an appropriate change in their circumstances, otherwise they will not be moved over until a later date.
It means big changes for those affected, as UC is claimed online and paid monthly in arrears into a bank account. Claimants receiving help with their rent will receive this as part of their UC and will be responsible for paying their landlord.
We are continuing to work with the DWP, community and voluntary groups, landlords and housing providers to ensure residents are aware of the changes and how this will impact on them.
In addition, Customer Services has appointed digital support assistants to help people who have difficulty making their online claims. They also offer personal budgeting support where needed and when people are referred to us by their DWP work-coach.
Our Customer Services Teams are also working closely with Welfare Rights and Citizens Advice in relation to debt advice and support.
Further information
You can also
find more information on Universal Credit by visiting our web pages at www.durham.gov.uk/universalcredit.
There is a ‘postcode
finder’ tool on these pages which can be used to help customers find local
computer facilities and also where they can get support to help them make a
claim.
November 2017 Budget – changes to Universal Credit
It is worth
noting the changes announced by the Chancellor during last November’s Budget:
·
From
April 2018, housing costs for those staying in short-term temporary
accommodation are administered from Housing Benefit rather than Universal
Credit
·
The
seven waiting days was abolished from February 2018
·
Claimants
on Housing Benefit moving onto Universal Credit continue to receive Housing
Benefit for an additional two weeks from April 2018
·
From
January 2018, those receiving advance payments when moving onto Universal
Credit have the choice of repaying this over a period of 12 months (it was
previously 6 months). It is worth noting that those migrating from HB could
already get 12 months
·
The
amount of advance payment a claimant can receive increased to 100% of the
expected first payment from January 2018
·
From
December 2017, claimants in the Private Rented Sector, who have managed
payments to landlords for their legacy Housing Benefit, are offered an
alternative payment arrangement (direct payment to the landlord) when they join
Universal Credit, provided the relevant criteria continue to be met.
·
Live
Service ended in December 2017, after which no one can claim UC unless they are
in a full service area
Key Contacts:
Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644
Durham
County Council Customer Services Team:
03000 260 000
Durham
County Council Welfare Rights Team:
03000 268 968
Citizens
Advice County Durham:
0300 323 2000
