The Latest Changes for Universal Credit The key important facts for each change

Abolishing Waiting Days From: 14th February 2018 For: All new (re)claims Abolishing Waiting Days What you need to know In 2015 a seven day waiting period was introduced for Universal Credit. From 14th February 2018 these waiting days have been removed. This is a response, in part, to criticism that claimants found it difficult to manage for six weeks before their first payment. With waiting days now abolished, claimants will only wait five weeks for their first payment. This will benefit around 750,000 claimants each year, with an average household gaining £160. All references to waiting days have been removed from GOV.UK content. Menu

Increasing Universal Credit advances From: January 2018 For: New claims, change of circs & benefit transfers. Increasing Universal Credit advances What you need to know The maximum amount for Universal Credit new claim and benefit transfer advances will be increased from up to 50% to up to 100% of the Universal Credit claimant’s estimated first payment. This can be discussed with a work coach, requested via the journal if the claimant has an online account, or if the claimant does not (live service), they can call. 0800 328 9344. More Details: A new page to spread awareness of this is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/get-an- advance-first-payment More detailed guidance (including debt recovery options) is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-advances Menu

Extending the repayment time for Universal Credit advances From: January 2018 For: Any claimant with an advance Extending the repayment time for Universal Credit advances What you need to know Now that claimants can request up to 100% of their estimated reward, we are also extending the period of repayment of Universal Credit from 6 months to 12 months. Claimants are able to take up to double the amount, so therefore they should be able to have double the time to repay this money back. More Details: A new page to spread awareness of this is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/get-an- advance-first-payment More detailed guidance (including debt recovery options) is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-advances Menu

Claiming a Universal Credit Advance online From: Spring 2018 For: All claimants with an online account Claiming a Universal Credit Advance online What You Need To Know From Spring 2018 claimants will be able to apply for an advance using their online account. They will be able to do this once after they have submitted their claim. The design for this is not yet finalised and so we will update you in the future on this. More Details: A walkthrough will be placed on our YouTube channel Universal Credit in Action when completed. Menu

Introducing a housing benefit run on for Universal Credit From: 11th April 2018 For: All first time claimants Introducing a housing benefit run on for Universal Credit What you need to know If a claimant received housing benefit before claiming UC, they will receive a two week run on of this payment when they make a claim. The payment is made by the local authority. The extra 2 weeks of housing benefit will not be taken into account as income and will not reduce the first UC payment. Claimants do not need to claim these extra 2 weeks – they will be paid automatically when you claim. If housing benefit is paid directly to a claimant, they will also get this paid directly to them too. Claimants can only get the housing benefit run on once – the first time they claim UC. More Details: The UC Housing Guide is updated to reflect these changes – with a specific new page for this topic: www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-from-housing-benefit-to-universal-credit 2.3 million claimants will benefit from this, with £230 being the average household gain. Menu

From: December 2017 For: All claimants Making it easier for claimants to get a Managed Payment to a Landlord (MPTL) What you need to know Staff guidance has been updated to encourage more budgeting conversations at the beginning of a new claim. This means that Work Coaches can identify claimants who may benefit for a MPTL. Landlords can now access the UC47 form online via GOV.UK. More Details: You can access the UC47 form quickly using: www.bit.ly/uc47form The UC47 forms have also been updated to clarify some points. Menu

Changes for claimants in Temporary Accommodation From: 11th April 2018 For: Claimants in Temporary Accommodation Changes for claimants in Temporary Accommodation What you need to know Claimants who move into Temporary Accommodation whilst claiming UC will no longer receive the housing element of UC. They will receive housing benefit instead.. This will be the process for both new claims and also for any change of circumstances that move a claimant into Temporary Accommodation during their claim. If a change of circumstance occurs, it may leave a claimant with a shortfall to pay, as the housing element would be turned off for the entire assessment period despite there possibly being a rent liability for part of that period. In this case, the claimant can request a Discretionary Housing Payment from the local authority. More Details: More details will be available for this on launch on the GOV.UK UC housing guide (11th April) GOV.UK’s PBS and APA pages will also be updated to reflect the changes. Menu

Managed Payment to Landlord applications Private Landlords can now apply for a Managed Payment to Landlord for housing costs without the explicit consent of the claimant, which was previously required They can apply because there are rent arrears, or because the claimant is considered vulnerable and unlikely to be able to pay They can apply on a form UC47 on Gov.uk: By secure e mail or post The claimant has 7 days to challenge the request: e.g. where the claimant is in dispute with the landlord If no challenge after 7 days then the landlord’s application will be approved Landlords can call free on 0800 328 5644 and escalate any issues