Universal Credit Progressive National Rollout David Wortley, Benefits Manager

What is Universal Credit Replaces existing out of work benefits including Housing Benefit. Administered by the DWP - online claims and telephone based Service Centres. Payments made monthly in arrears. Role of the Council currently is to support claimants through the process.

Overview First Customer – “This is brilliant” agency worker, no longer restricted by the 16 hour limit, therefore able to work for odd days

The Claimant Journey Submit a claim on-line Receive a telephone call / letter from the Service Centre with appointment at JCP. Take all evidence to JCP to support UC claim, discuss needs for advance payment, alternative payment or budgetary support. All UC queries are directed to Service Centre If evidence missing make an appointment via the Service Centre to take into JCP

The Claimant Journey Service Centre make all decisions on alternative payments and budget support First payment will be five weeks after date of submitting claim Changes of circumstances reported to the Service Centre – any evidence to JCP The Council still provide help for payment of Council Tax

Facts and Figures Take up limited to certain claimant groups and postcodes within the Borough. Around 300 claims received to date – vast majority will be without housing costs

Delivery Partnership Arrangement The role of the Council  Help for claimants – claiming and budget support  Housing Benefit expertise

Help provided 300 claimants claimed UC 3 claimants helped to make a claim or get on- line No claimants referred by DWP for budgeting support

Helping Claimants make a claim for UC On-line claim form can by accessed from public PCs in the Town Hall All staff have been trained how to use it Claimants can telephone the Service Centre from the Town Hall – not a free call Because of the limited claimant group IT access / skills has not been an issue

The on-line Claim Simple and Clear Initial Section to identify claimants who can not claim UC – if not able to claim UC can not claim JSA on-line On completion they are advised of UC amount and pay date

Personal Budgeting Support Cases are passed to us from the Service Centre To work with individuals to provide support managing a monthly budget, and if alternative payment in place to move towards receiving payment direct and monthly

Personal Budgeting Support We are providing the service in-house for the short-term; More control Able to redirect resources To gather in-depth information to plan for the future

Personal Budgeting Support Created training sessions, workbooks and support material based on that being used in the original pathfinders Cases involving multiple debt will be handed off to other agencies. No time limit for working with claimants Report back to Service Centre with regards to reviews of alternative payments

Summary Universal Credit includes help to pay rent Payments made to the claimant monthly Payment can be made direct to the landlord if there are arrears The Council have no access to information