UC- no more new Live Service claims
The government has issued guidance to Housing Benefit staff HB Bulletin U4/2017 in connection with some of the
changes announced in the Autumn Budget 2017( see our guide).
(See also our guide to the roll out timetable)
'...Universal Credit live service will cease to take new claims from 1 January 2018...
Existing Universal Credit live service claimants will continue unaffected and we will maintain the existing
caseload....this includes..
-where a site is transitioning from live service to full service
-changes of address
-partner joining an existing Universal Credit claim. and
partnership separation. This will be classed as a change in circumstances and both claimants will remain on Universal
Credit (if still appropriate)
-where a claimant has been working and their earnings have exceeded the maximum amount, their entitlement will
be reduced to nil due to their earnings. Their claim will stay open for up to 6 months within the six month re-award
period.'
Book Now for our updated Universal Credit 2018 and our Housing Costs and Universal Credit 2018 courses.
UC- you can reclaim legacy benefits in live service areas
'...Where a claimant terminates their Universal Credit live service claim by choice they will be able to make a new
claim to HB straight away. Claimants in full service areas will not be allowed to terminate their claim and make a claim
for HB.' HB Bulletin U4/2017
Claimants will want to consider doing this particularly if they are worse off under Universal Credit.
Book Now for our updated Universal Credit 2018 and our Housing Costs and Universal Credit 2018 courses.
UC- Latest Statistics
660,000 claimants as of 9/11/2017.