Universal Credit is a benefit created to help people on low incomes, the unemployed, and those unable to work due to personal circumstances
Sir Stephen Timms has issued a statement outlining the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) plans and options for supporting families financially. His message responds to a recent question from Mr Lee Dillon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury, put forward earlier this month.
Mr Dillon pressed the DWP on how it intends to help support the monetary needs of families, questioning both the current benefits eligibility rules and access to childcare assistance. His question arises amid stark figures from Citizens Advice showing that 860,000 children across England and Wales are living in households unable to afford essentials.
In response, Sir Stephen highlighted what he said was the flexibility of Universal Credit. And he mentioned that the DWP had recently introduced a new website with an eligibility checker.
His message, published yesterday, reads: “Universal Credit is designed to be a flexible benefit which offers support for both those in and out of work. It provides an invaluable safety net for millions of customers through the standard allowance and additional elements.
“The government recognises the value of this safety net to millions of people and has therefore legislated for the first ever sustained above-inflation uplift to the UC standard allowance.” Sir Stephen, Minister for Social Security and Disability, also added: “In September, we launched the Best Start in Life website for carers and parents, providing information on the government childcare offers available and an eligibility checker.
“Independent, free and anonymous benefit calculators are available to help people check what benefits they may be entitled to. The calculators can be accessed on the Government website at: https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators.”
What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a DWP benefit created to help people on low incomes, those out of work, and people unable to work due to personal circumstances. The amount you receive is influenced by several factors, though the standard allowance for a single person aged 25 or over is £400.14 per month.
As Sir Stephen explained, people across the UK can use the Government’s benefits calculators to check their eligibility for Universal Credit and determine how much they might receive. However, in general, recipients must:
- Live in the UK
- Be aged 18 or over (though there are some exceptions if you are 16 or 17)
- Be under the State Pension age
- Have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments
They must also be:
- Out of work
- Unable to work, for example, due to a health condition
- Working (including self-employed or part-time)
Further guidance at GOV.UK adds: “Universal Credit is calculated based on your circumstances each month. These are called your ‘assessment periods’. You’ll usually get your Universal Credit payment seven days after each monthly assessment period ends.
“Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for your assessment period. You should report a change of circumstances to get the correct payment. Your first assessment period starts the day you make a claim.”
Universal Credit is typically paid once a month, though some people in Scotland may receive it twice a month. Residents of Scotland, England, and Wales can visit GOV.UK to learn more about making an application.
If you live in Northern Ireland, visit Universal Credit Northern Ireland.
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