Universal Credit Full Service Overview UC focuses on work Paid - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Universal Credit Full Service Overview UC focuses on work Paid monthly In and out of work Paid directly Claimant commitment Its requirements about work Its like work Claimant commitment like a Full time work search contract
Overview
UC focuses on work
Paid monthly Paid directly Claimant commitment – like a contract Easy transition UC to work (and back) A Simple taper so better off in work Earnings, not hours
It’s like work
Full time work search Claimant commitment requirements In and out of work
It encourages work It’s about work
UC simplifies the welfare system
▪ Universal Credit is a digital, flexible and personalised system ▪ It reduces barriers to work, incentivising people to move into work ▪ It also helps people a low income to earn more and get on in their job
From six benefits to one Deal with one organisation not three
JSA Tax Credits Housing Income Support Child Tax Credits ESA
UC
DWP HMRC Local Authority
UC
It’s a simplification of the benefit system
Current benefit system Universal Credit Multiple benefits with multiple places to claim them One benefit, one place to claim Different benefits for in or out of work One benefit that stays with you in and out of work Different entitlement rules for different people One benefit for everyone* Complex rates for ESA Simpler rates for limited capability (only two elements) Different organisations (DWP, HMRC, Local Authorities) All administered under DWP Paper forms or clerical processes to claim Can claim online The Government keeps your information / data Claimants own and can see all their information / data using an online account Changing details can be clerical or paper/phone based Change circumstances online Feels more individual Is based on everyone in your household *Full service only. Once fully rolled out, 7 million people will be affected by Universal Credit.
Natural Migration Triggers – a few examples
Current JSA(IB)/ IS claimants are no longer able to make a new claim to ESA(IR) if they live in a Universal Credit Full Service area and should be advised to make an online claim to Universal Credit. The same rules apply from ESA(IR) to JSA (IB)/ IS.
Current JSA(IB)/ IS claimants, or their partners, who increase their working hours or start work such that they no longer meet the conditions for JSA/IS cannot make a new claim to Tax Credits if they live in a Universal Credit Full Service area and should be advised to make an online claim to Universal Credit. Those with an existing Tax Credit claim can continue to claim Tax Credit but should they drop below 16 hours they will make a claim for Universal Credit instead of JSA(IB) or IS.
Current WTC claimants are no longer able to make a new claim to ESA(IR) if they live in a Universal Credit Full Service area and should be advised to make an online claim to Universal Credit. Current ESA(IR) claimants are no longer able to make a new claim to Tax Credits if they live in a Universal Credit Full Service area and should be advised to make an online claim to Universal
existing Tax Credit claim can continue to claim Tax Credit
Moving from
Moving from
Moving from in work to sick (reduction
Moving from sick to in work (or permitted work becomes permanent
Natural Migration Triggers – a few examples
Existing HB claimants who move into a Universal Credit Full service area LA are no longer able to make a new claim to HB in the new LA area and should be advised if they wish to continue to
their rent to make an online claim to Universal Credit. Current IS claimants are no longer able to make a new claim to JSA(IB)/ ESA(IR) when their award to IS ends if they live in a Universal Credit Full Service area and should be advised to make an online claim to Universal Credit. Where current joint Tax Credit claimants who separate and live in a Universal Credit Full Service area are unable to make a new claim to Tax Credits as a single person. Claimants should be advised to make an online claim to Universal Credit if they continue to require additional financial; support if they have (a) child(ren) living with them or are on a low income. Claimants living in a Universal Credit Full Service area are no longer able to make a new claim to Tax Credits and should be advised if they wish to claim for additional financial support because they have a child living with them to make an online claim to Universal Credit. Those with an existing Tax Credit claim can continue to claim Tax Credits.
HB claimant moves from LA into a Universal Credit Full Service LA IS lone parent child under 5 reaches 5yrs old or leaves the household permanently Separating claimants Household becomes responsible for a child for the first time Should someone have an existing claim to a legacy benefit when claiming via Universal Credit Full Service we will contact the appropriate department to terminate that claim.
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Full Service Housing Cost Verification Process Map
Private Social
Service centre agent emails housing costs verification form (HCV) to landlord Claimant asked to bring in housing costs documents at ID interview HCV received from landlord? Housing costs verified? Reminder e-mail sent to social landlord or information requested from claimant if a private tenant. If housing costs remain unverified at end of assessment period then the housing cost will not be paid Info checked against claimant declaration, amended if required and uploaded to claim Documents uploaded to claim No No Yes Yes Is the Claimant a social
Housing Costs Evidence required for Verification
Evidence of housing costs will be obtained directly from the Social Landlord, and include:
✓name of all tenants on the tenancy agreement ✓property address including full postcode ✓current rent and frequency (for example. monthly, weekly) ✓breakdown of rent type, frequency and amount of service charge ✓number of bedrooms ✓landlord/agent details (name, address) ✓rent free weeks (where applicable) ✓if the tenant(s) are living in temporary accommodation
To be eligible for Housing Costs the claimant must provide sufficient documentation to verify three criteria
➢ Bank statements or utility bills ➢ Rent book or letter from the landlord
Supporting claimants with complex needs
Alternative Payment Arrangements
Paying the housing element directly to the landlord Making more frequent than monthly payments Splitting the payment within the household
For a minority of claimants, Alternative Payment Arrangements may be required. The main options include : There is also an option to pay the housing element directly to the landlord once a certain level of arrears has been reached.
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APA request matrix
Factors to consider for alternative payment arrangements Tier One factors – Highly likely / probable need for alternative payment arrangements 1.1 Drug / alcohol and / or other addiction problems e.g. gambling 1.2 Learning difficulties including problems with literacy and/or numeracy 1.3 Severe / multiple debt problems 1.4 In Temporary and / or Supported accommodation 1.5 Homeless 1.6 Domestic violence / abuse 1.7 Mental Health Condition 1.8 Currently in rent arrears / threat of eviction / repossession 1.9 Claimant is young either a 16/17 year old and / or a Care leaver 1.10 Families with multiple and complex needs Tier Two factors - Less likely / possible need for alternative payment arrangements 2.1 Third party deductions in place (e.g. for fines, utility arrears etc) 2.2 Claimant is a Refugees / asylum seeker 2.3 History of rent arrears 2.4 Previously homeless and / or in supported accommodation 2.5 Other disability (e.g. physical disability, sensory impairment etc) 2.6 Claimant has just left prison 2.7 Claimant has just left hospital 2.8 Recently bereaved 2.9 Language skills (e.g. English not spoken as the ‘first language’). 2.10 Ex Service personnel 2.11 NEETs - Not in Education, Employment or Training
Managed Payment of Housing Costs to Landlords
household bills including their rent on time.
payment of the UC housing cost to the landlord can be considered in some cases to help protect tenancies.
be considered on request from the start of the claim or during the claim if the claimant has accumulated rent arrears which will put their tenancy at risk. What are the key elements to consider
need and, if requested by the claimant or landlord, will consider making managed payments to their landlord if appropriate.
claimant or landlord request this
Universal Credit Choices – Scotland
From 04/10/17 Universal Credit Scottish Flexibilities became available to claimants making a new Universal Credit claim, in full service areas, living in Scotland – (if they make a claim on or after 4 October 2017).
Changes from April 2018
✓New claims for Universal Credit from customers in Temporary Accommodation will have housing costs met through Housing Benefit. ✓Existing Temporary Accommodation Customers on Universal Credit will also move to Housing Benefit ✓Not just emergency temporary accommodation
✓Customers previously receiving Housing Benefit and transitioning on to Universal Credit will receive an extra 2 weeks support. ✓This is unrecoverable, automatic and received early in first assessment period. ✓Payment will be made by Local Authorities.
Disclosure of Information to 3rd parties
through the journal and alert the work coach of any changes. This builds financial responsibility and minimises telephony queries.
request received for the disclosure of personal information will be assessed on its individual needs and any relevant legislative powers. Explicit consent
their behalf Explicit consent can be provided by the claimant, using the most appropriate channel in their circumstances, whether that is through the journal, over the telephone or face to face. For explicit consent to be effective the claimant must state:
party organisation (where it applies)
provide explicit consent for each new query raised.