Universal Credit Progressive National Rollout David Wortley, Benefits Manager 01788 533440 dave. wortley@rugby. gov. uk
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 v Help for claimants – claiming and budget support v 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 arrears • The Council have no access to information • www. gov. uk/universal-credit
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