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'To Whose Credit''

A report on the impact of the introduction in July 2016 of the full digital Universal Credit Service in the Lancaster District.'

 

Key findings were-

'...Conclusion- Universal Credit as it exists at present is not fit for purpose. It can scarcely be called a benefit, as it is

throwing vulnerable people into hardship through the complexity of the application and managing processes –

• Over 60% found the initial application process difficult or very difficult.

• The requirement to apply and manage the system online is causing problems for many people, either because they

don’t have ready access to the internet (over 40% rely on using a free computer in the local library) or because they

are not comfortable with internet use (30%). Although there are alternative methods of claiming and managing the

claim, over 50% of claimants in our survey were not informed about these. Because claimants can’t always access

their UC journals on a daily basis, they risk missing appointments and attracting a sanction

• The legislative requirement that claimants will usually have to wait at leastup to 6 weeks after their claim has been

accepted has caused untold hardship for the majority of claimants, who are pushed into debt, forced to rely on

charity or the goodwill of family and friends, suffer from stress and anxiety, risk losing their homes and remain beset

by confusion.'

 

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