All change to Universal Credit. Debbie Witton NASMA Benefits 2, Monday 30 June, :45pm

Transcription

1 All change to Universal Credit Debbie Witton NASMA Benefits 2, Monday 30 June, :45pm

2 Contents What is Universal Credit? When can students get universal credit Interaction with student funding How universal credit is claimed and paid Key issues for supporting students for the change Useful resources to keep up to date

3 What is Universal Credit? A single means-tested benefit For people of working age Paid both in and out of work

4 What does UC replace? Income-based jobseeker s allowance Income-related employment and support allowance Income support Child tax credit Working tax credit Housing benefit

5 29 April 2013 to April 2014 From July 2014 Universal Credit timetable (29 April 2014) New claims from single jobseeker s in one jobcentre in each ten pathfinder,tameside, Oldham, Wigan, Warrington, Hammersmith, Rugby, Inverness, Harrogate, Bath, Shotton Extension to jobcentres in 12 Northwest LAs Couples in the above sites From Autumn 14 With children in the above sites 2016 All new claims nationally 2017 Migration of existing cases End ,000 ESA claims still to be migrated

6 Northwest Expansion Salford, Wirral, Preston, St Helen s, Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester, Trafford, Bolton, Bury, south Ribble, Sefton, Knowlsey. 90 Jobcentres Flexible gateway criteria

7 UC and life changes

8 Students and UC You cannot usually get UC if you are receiving education 1. On a full-time advanced course 2. On another full-time course for which a loan, grant or bursary is provided for your maintenance 3. In full-time (over 12 hours) non-advanced education and not yet reached 31 August after your 19 th birthday 4. If none of the above apply, on a course which is not compatible with your work-related requirements

9 Exceptions - Students who can get UC Have a child Under 22 on a non-advanced course and estranged Have limited capability for work (assessed by DWP and also get DLA or PIP Have a partner who is not a student Over pension age Single foster carer Waiting to return to course after time out

10 Which of the following full-time students are eligible to claim UC? Lone parent with a son aged 17 who is in college In a couple and partner is working on a low income Single 21 year old who gets PIP who is assessed as capable of work Single 18 year old estranged from parents and at college doing A levels

11 Work conditions UC for everyone with different work related conditions dependent on your circumstances These are set out in your claimant commitment and includes your responsibilities to look for work, or if already in a job to increase your income Each member of a couple will have their own commitment

12 Conditionality groups 1. No work related requirements 2. Work focused interviews only 3. Work focused interviews and work preparation 4. All work related requirements Tough Sanctions for non-compliance

13 Students and looking for work No work related requirements (except for during the long vacation) in advanced education and in receipt of a student loan or grant for maintenance under 22 without parental support in full-time non-advanced education In other cases work-related requirements will apply as normal.

14 Maximum Award Standard allowance for a single claimant or couple Plus additional elements for Children and qualifying young people Disabled child limited capability for work limited capability for work related activity Caring for a disabled person Child care costs Rent or mortgage support

15 Student Income The following will reduce your UC: Maximum student loan Adult dependants grant if it is for a partner included in your UC claim If no loan, any grant to maintain you or partner/children included in your UC claim Access Funds to maintain you or partner/children included in your UC claim

16 Getting paid UC Single payment Monthly in arrears assessment period First payment 7 days later and then on same day every month (pay date) Any change in circumstances will affect the whole of the monthly award

17 How does student income affect monthly UC? Student income is taken into account in each assessment period in which you are required to attend your course Taken into account for the assessment month in which the course started Ignored in the assessment month that the course ends or the summer vacation starts

18 How does student income reduce monthly UC? The annual student income is divided by the number of assessment months A figure of 110 pm is disregarded UC is then reduced by that amount Example 3862pa student loan Divided by 8 assessment periods ( Sept to May) = pm

19 Example Nicky is a lone parent with two children aged 8 and 11. Her eligible rent is 400 per month Her UC without student income Her UC with student income of = per month

20 Benefit Advances Short-term Benefit Advance where there is a delay in getting all or part of your UC paid Budgeting advance to meet one off payments Repaid from ongoing UC

21 Alternative Payment Arrangements Direct to landlord More frequent payments Split household payments Time limited Assessment of financial and vulnerability risk Implemented in conjunction with appropriate personal budgeting support

22 Universal Credit useful information - Fact sheets and FAQ - Benefit cap calculator - qualifying age for pension credit calculator