The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that the
national roll-out of Universal Credit (UC) has started, with more than
150 jobcentres starting to handle UC claims over the next two months.
However, it will only be single claimants and couples with no children
that are eligible for the scheme. Landlords cannot be paid directly as
the scheme combines various benefit payments into one lump sum.
The roll-out sees people in Yorkshire, Tees Valley, London, The
Highlands, Thames Valley, and Gloucestershire, able to claim the
benefit. A full list can be found on the government website.
Universal Credit replaces: income-based Jobseekers Allowance; income
related Employment and Support Allowance; income support; child tax
credit; working tax credits; and housing benefits.
The government claims that UC helps people get back into work sooner,
earning more, and making them less likely to fall back into poverty by
reducing the amount they claim gradually, as opposed to completely
cutting claimants off, depending on how much they make in work.
The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has urged landlords to
ensure they are aware of any tenants who may need to claim benefits.
The DWP also recently announced 2015/16 discretionary housing payments
budget outlining how much local councils will receive to help residents
struggling to meet housing costs.
The overall budget has been cut by 25%. As Universal Credit is rolled
out, private tenants, affected by under-occupation penalties or
restrictions to their “housing element” caused by limits to “maximum
rent”, the benefits cap, non-dependents etc. can apply for DHP funding.
The scheme remains the responsibility of councils.
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