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Have your say on how UC is going- (deadline 20/3/2017) Rt Hon Frank Field MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee said:

 

'Huge delays in people receiving payments from Universal Credit have resulted in claimants falling into debt and rent arrears, caused health problems and led to many having to rely on food banks. It is bad enough that UC has a built-in six-week wait between someone applying and them receiving their first payment, but we have heard that many have to wait much longer than this. The adverse impact on claimants, local authorities, landlords and charities is entirely disproportionate to the small numbers currently claiming UC, yet Lord Freud has told us he thinks it will take decades to optimise the system. We have therefore felt compelled to investigate UC yet again.' they want to hear about-

'How long are people waiting for their Universal Credit claim to be processed, and what impact is this having on them?

How are claimants managing with being paid Universal Credit monthly in arrears?

Has Universal Credit improved the accuracy of payments?

Have claimants reported making a new claim for Universal Credit, and then found that the system has not registered their claim correctly?

What impact is Universal Credit having on rent arrears, what effect is this having on landlords and claimants, and how could the situation be improved?

Would certain groups benefit from greater payment process flexibility and, if so, what might the Government do to facilitate it?

Does Universal Credit provide people in emergency temporary accommodation with the support they need, and how could this be improved?

What impact is Universal Credit having on the income and costs of local authorities, housing associations, charities and other local organisations?

How well is Universal Support working, and how could it been improved?

What impact has the introduction of full Universal Credit service had in areas where it has replaced the live service?'

 

No new UC claims for families with 3 or more children-  the Government has issued guidance which advises-

'... 9. from 6 April 2017, claimants, where the household has more than two children at the point of a new claim, will need to apply for Child Tax Credit and any other legacy benefits including Housing Benefit (HB) that they may be entitled to.

10. The gateway will be opened at this time so that these claimants can make new claims for legacy benefits and DWP will direct them to GOV.UK accordingly until further notice.

11. For claimants already in receipt of Universal Credit, they will remain on Universal Credit and, where a third or subsequent child is born or moves into the household on or after 6 April 2017, a decision will be made on entitlement taking into account whether exceptions apply.'

 

Implied Consent and Rent Arrears- We would like to share with you documents relevant to Housing Costs and Universal Credit from our members' area.  One concerns  implied consent in the 'live service' areas and the other is about options to reduce the 20% rent arrears recovery rate usually set up by the DWP.

 

Nos. on UC- The number of people on Universal Credit rose to 450,000 in January 2017. 39% are in employment.

 

Book now for our updated Universal Credit and Housing Costs 2017 course and our updated Benefits Updater 2017 course which includes lots on the changes to Universal Credit.

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