Universal Credit Partner Presentation

Transcription

1 Universal Credit Partner Presentation

2 Progress so far 26 Universal Credit Service Centres 235 Jobcentres operate the Universal Credit full service (as at 24 th January 2018) 700,000 on caseload as at 14 th December ,000 (46%) in employment as at 14 th December 2017

3 Universal Credit Full Service who can claim? Housing Benefit Child Tax Credits Income based JSA Working Tax Credits Income based ESA Income Support The service will be available for all claimant groups from the start. The service will initially be available to claimants making a new claim, or certain changes in circumstances. The service will initially be available to claimants making a new claim, or certain changes in circumstances. As of 6 April 2017, claimants, where the household has more than two dependant children at the point of a new claim, will need to apply for Child Tax Credit and any other legacy benefits including Housing Benefit (HB) that they may be entitled to. 3

4 What s Different About Universal Credit? Support for those who

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6 Local partnership support typical delivery partners The purpose of the partnerships approach is a joined up coherent claimant journey for claimants with complex needs so that they can progress from benefits dependency to independence

7 An example claim (changes in February 2018 no waiting days) 7 waiting day Period Regular Universal Credit Assessment Period +7 days 31/10 30/11 24/09 Date of Claim 01/10 End of waiting days 1 st Universal Credit Payment Calculation / notification to claimant: 01/1. 1 st Universal Credit Payment Received by Claimant: 07/11 2nd Universal Credit Payment Calculation: 01/12 2 nd Universal Credit Payment Received by Claimant: 07/12 7

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9 Personal Budgeting Support Alternative Payment Arrangements For a minority of claimants, Alternative Payment Arrangements may be required; these might include DWP will pay housing costs directly to the landlord (managed payment to landlord) making payments more frequent than monthly splitting the payment within the household Option to make managed payments directly to the landlord if a claimant reaches a certain level of rent arrears (usually 2 Calendar months / 8 weeks) Considered on a case by case basis and assessed on their individual needs The decision about whether an Alternative Payment Arrangement is suitable will be made by a Universal Credit Decision Maker through the Personal Budgeting Support process All Alternative Payment Arrangements are subject to review 9

10 Alternative Payment Arrangements: consideration factors 10 Highly likely / probable need for Alternative Payment Arrangements Drug / alcohol and / or other addiction problems e.g. gambling Learning difficulties including problems with literacy and/or numeracy Severe / multiple debt problems In temporary and / or supported accommodation Homeless Domestic violence / abuse Mental Health Condition Currently in rent arrears / threat of eviction / repossession Claimant is young: either a 16/17 year old and / or a Care leaver Families with multiple and complex needs Less likely / possible need for Alternative Payment Arrangements Third party deductions in place (e.g. for fines, utility arrears etc.) Claimant is a refugee / asylum seeker History of rent arrears Previously homeless and / or in supported accommodation Other disability (e.g. physical disability, sensory impairment etc.) Claimant has just left prison Claimant has just left hospital Recently bereaved Language skills (e.g. English not spoken as the first language ). Ex Service personnel NEETs - Not in Education, Employment or Training

11 Universal Credit Transition live to full service EALING 3/18 RICHMOND 6/18 KINGSTON 6/18 HARROW 7/18 WANDSWORTH 9/18 HILLINGDON (Hayes & Uxbridge) 10/18 BRENT (Harlesden) 11/18 BRENT (Wembley) 12/18 All of the above dates are subject to change.

12 Universal Credit Full Service Where Next. Timing Our future plans. From 2016 Rollout of the Digital service across nation and regions will be a phased delivery approach with around 5 jobcentre areas going live each month initially. From 2017 We will accelerate delivery to around 30 jobcentre areas per month going live with the digital service. From 2019 Testing Migration of the legacy system will begin in 2018 with the start of national migration in 2019 From 2020 through to 2021 The intention is that all cases are migrated, and a full service is available nationally, by 2020/

13 Communications What we ve done so far GOV.UK Claimant Leaflet Partner Toolkit Infographics Videos 13

14 Useful Links UC Rollout Schedule : Universal Credit in Action YouTube channel : The claimant commitment : Local Support Services Framework : Universal Credit Personal Planner (for financial and digital preparation) : Money Advice Service : Improving Lives of Workless Families : Universal Credit detailed guides on gov.uk : Universal Credit and Landlords : Partnership Managers and Employer facing staff community group :

15 Any Questions?