Universal Credit Katy Pearson, Monica Bryce and Rob Harrod Priority Families Employment Advisors

Universal Credit (UC) Learning outcomes: To get a better understanding of Universal Credit. To understand the purpose of The Priority Families Enquiry Form and Identification Checklist To get an overview of the Priority Families Website

One simple payment Paid monthly For people in and out of work Use PAYE in real time information (RTI) Universal Credit Income based Jobseekers Allowance Income related Employment and Support Allowance Working Tax Credits Child Tax Credit Income Support Housing Benefit Universal Credit – overview

Support for those that need it to manage the changes Universal Credit brings: Housing costs direct to tenant Single payment to household Monthly Payment DWP want to help people to manage their own finances successfully, whether they are in or out of work…… Personal Budgeting Support – Why?

Benefits? Benefits of Universal Credit Easier Transition from Benefits to Work Easier Control of Benefit for Zero Hour Contracts Gives responsibility to manage own finances, preparing them for the world of work Multi-Agency Working Reduces Fraud and Error

Concerns? We know there will be concerns, but UC is happening, we cannot change this, what we can do is PREPARE them: Talk to your families Refer them for debt advice/support where appropriate Refer for money management/budgeting support

Support for Vulnerable Claimants For a minority of claimants, Alternative Payment Arrangements may be required; these might include: Considered on a case by case basis and assessed on their individual needs The decision about whether an Alternative Payment Arrangements is suitable will be made by a Universal Credit Decision maker through the Personal Budgeting Support process. Paying The Rent Directly to Landlords Making More Frequent than monthly Payments Splitting the Payment Within the Household

DWP have introduced rent arrears triggers to help protect landlords and tenants alike DWP have taken steps to improve the take up of budgeting support Dedicated teams to manage housing and Alternative Payment Arrangement cases Provision of single point of contact details to LAs and social landlords DWP have established a dedicated network of single points of contacts Ongoing Developments…

24/09 Date of Claim +7 days 1 st Universal Credit Payment Calculation / notification to claimant: 01/11 1 st Universal Credit Payment Received by Claimant: 07/11 Regular Universal Credit Assessment Period 2nd Universal Credit Payment Calculation: 01/12 2 nd Universal Credit Payment Received by Claimant: 07/12 An example claim 31/10 30/11 7 waiting day Period 01/10 End of waiting days

Payment Advances: New Claims +7 days 31/01 28/02 Regular UC Assessment Period (35 days) 1 st payment: £ nd payment: £1000 Standard Monthly Payment Payment minus repayment of UC advance (new claim) UC Advance (up to 50%) £500 £ (3 days) Based on an indicative claim of £1000 pcm

Conditionality Earnings Threshold A Conditionality Earnings Threshold is in place to ensure that claimants earning above a certain level will not be asked to carry out work related activity. The conditionality earnings threshold is calculated on an individual basis by multiplying the National Minimum Wage by the hours a claimant could reasonably be expected to work (whilst recognising their individual circumstances) Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) has been introduced to ensure that only claimants on no income or very low income will receive intensive support and is set at an individual and household level. Conditionality Earnings Threshold Over £1920 per month ‘Working enough’ Admin Earnings Threshold Up to £525 per month ‘Intensive work search’ Above £525 and below £1920 ‘Light touch’ Conditionality Earnings Threshold Over £960 per month ‘Working enough’ Admin Earnings Threshold Up to £330 per month ‘Intensive work search’ Above £330 and below £960 ‘Light touch’ Single Couple

Universal Credit pages on GOV.UK Budgeting help and support credit-quick-guide Money Advice Service support for Universal Credit Priority Families Employment Advisors Useful Links

Priority Families website

Any Questions?

Priority Families Employment Advisor Contact Details Nottingham North: Katy Pearson Nottingham Central: Monica Bryce – Nottingham South: Rob Harrod –

Activity Look at the case studies on your tables and discuss what support the families would need around employment, moving forward.