Universal Credit (UC) Changes
In response to recent adverse publicity the Government has agreed to various changes that are intended to ease the financial hardship for new claimants. They include:
- Households in need, who qualify for UC will be able to access a month’s worth of support within 5 days. This will be funded by an interest free loan that can be repaid over a 12-month period.
- Claimants will be eligible for UC from the day they apply, the present 7-day rule will be scrapped.
- Low-income households affected by areas with higher rent increases will receive an extra £280 on average to meet these higher costs.