Universal Credit in the North West
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Universal Credit is a new benefit being introduced by the Government, replacing six existing benefits and providing a monthly payment to households. It is the biggest current threat to landlord income. Its rollout is slow, and this allows housing associations the opportunity to prepare for its introduction.
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Universal Credit in the North West
- 1. Sue Ramsden, Policy Leader, National Housing Federation Universal Credit overview
- 3. Housing Benefit Under Universal Credit Non-dependant deductions (NDD): six separate rates varying by income and under 25s on benefit are exempt. One, flat-rate Housing Cost Contribution (HCC) per month. All under 21s are exempt from HCC. Non-dependants: couples get one room between them. They pay the NDD unless both are exempt. Each adult non-dependent gets a room. Each pays the HCC unless exempt. Lodgers get a room but income is taken into account and deducted pound for pound from benefit apart from first ยฃ20. No room allowance so there may be a deduction for the size critera but any income from lodgers is disregarded. In non-couple joint tenancy cases the deduction is apportioned between the joint tenants Bedroom tax not applied in non-couple joint-tenancy cases. Protection from size criteria if member of the household dies for up to 52 weeks. Benefits run-on for 3 months (ie household UC continues to be calculated in the same way as prior to death) . 13 week protection where the tenant could previously afford the rent and Housing Benefit has not been claimed in the last 52 weeks. Size criteria applies immediately.
- 4. Alternative payment arrangements Managed payment (to landlord) Split payment More frequent payment
- 5. UC payments Universal Credit claimants will: โข โSetโ pay date each month โข Receive their initial payment seven days after the end of their assessment period โข From that point onwards they will receive their payment on the same date each month, with a cut-off date to notify DWP of changes of circumstance โข If the pay day falls on weekends or bank holidays, the pay day will be advanced to the nearest working day โข Amount will not vary according to number of days in month
- 7. Universal Credit entitlement UCmaximumamount Standard allowance + Housing element + Child Element / Disabled Child Additions + Childcare element (for those in work) + Limited Capability for WRA Element or Limited capability for work element + Carer Element UCEntitlement UC maximum amount โ applicable capital โ applicable income โ earnings (taking into account disregards and tapers)
- 8. Housing element Liable rent and eligible service charges Minus Any under- occupation deduction Minus any Housing Cost Contribution (HCC) from non- dependants For social sector tenants the housing element will be:
- 9. Universal Credit claimant journey I get information or advice about how to claim Universal Credit. I receive a telephone call inviting me to attend an interview in the jobcentre. I attend my interview at the jobcentre, taking along any paperwork that has been asked for. I sign my Claimant Commitment, which records the activities Iโve agreed to do in return for receiving Universal Credit. I receive my Universal Credit decision letter. It tells me when I will receive my payments, and confirms what I need to do in return for getting Universal Credit. I telephone the helpline if there is a change in my circumstances, including if I start work. My Claimant Commitment is reviewed and may be changed to take into account my new situation. I make my claim online at GOV.UK. If I need help, I can telephone the Universal Credit helpline for assistance. I receive a text message to remind me about my interview at the jobcentre. I begin looking for work. I can get advice on jobseeking, budgeting and going online from my work coach. I regularly visit the jobcentre where my work coach and I discuss the actions weโve agreed in my Work Plan. If a change in my circumstances means my Universal Credit payments change, I receive a letter confirming the new details.
- 10. What will the tenant need to bring? Tenancy agreement Recent rent statement including service charge eligible for UC
- 12. Universal Credit timetable April 2014 โข UC live in 10 sites Summer 2014 โข Extended to couples in all live areas July 28th โข End August: remaining North West roll out dates Autumn 2014 โข Roll out to claimants with children 2016/17 โข Migration of existing claims
- 13. Gareth Bevan, Policy Officer, National Housing Federation Universal Credit Twelve months in: learning from the Pathfinders
- 14. Structure of presentation โข Scope of the research โข How to prepare your organisation โข Key issues emerging from UC Pathfinders in the North West โข Recommendations to DWP โข Top tips โข What next?
- 15. Scope of the research โข Research methodology โข Solely evidence from associations โข Anecdotal โข Limited claimant numbers
- 16. Preparations โข Communication, research and training โข Products and services โข Preparing staff โข Changing internal processes
- 18. Emerging issuesโฆ Vulnerabilities and local support
- 20. Emerging issuesโฆ Alternative Payment Arrangements
- 23. Recommendations โข Save function โข Confirmation โข PBS โข APAs โข Data sharing
- 24. Top tips โข Relationships โข Regular meetings โข LSSF positioning โข Processes
- 25. What nextโฆ? โข Rollout plans โข Ongoing research โข Member engagement
- 26. Contact Sue Ramsden sue.ramsden@housing.org.uk 0207 067 1080 Gareth Bevan gareth.bevan@housing.org.uk 0161 873 9449