No one said it could be this hard (The Scientist)
New research and CARBS training programme.
Inflexible and arbitrary rules are increasing financial insecurity.
‘A disaster waiting to happen.‘ That’s the conclusion of new analysis of over 50,000 cases where Citizens Advice helped people with debt problems. The unhappy truth is that UC is actually pushing people further into debt. Citizens Advice research with UC clients and a survey of advisers shows the main issues causing or making worse claimants’ debt problems: the […]
Benefit delivery is causing financial hardship. Citizens Advice is calling on the government to pause the rollout of Universal Credit. The application system requires claimants to wait 6 weeks for payment leading to financial insecurity and debt. Many are falling behind with regular payments including rent and some are even at risk of losing their homes. In Surrey Universal Credit is at currently available to just a small group. Full […]
Here Now. Universal Credit has arrived in Surrey although only in a limited way. Until Summer 2018 UC can only be claimed here by individuals who meet certain criteria, known as gateway conditions. This means most claims will be restricted to jobseekers who don’t have children, a mortgage or certain benefits in payment. There are other […]
Policy change call. Good timing. “The current focus of Jobcentre Plus on reducing the overall number of people claiming benefits will need to shift towards helping people into secure and sustainable employment.” A Citizens Advice call for change in the direction of welfare policy must not be lost in a crowded summer news agenda. Plans to change how benefits are calculated for […]
Payment in arrears. Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears. A basic point but capable of causing problems. This month we’re seeing people who have applied for Universal Credit but don’t realise there’s a delay of several weeks before first payment. One client was told he would have to wait SEVEN weeks. This shouldn’t happen because every claimant has the right to ask for […]
Top of the agenda at a meeting on 24 February of Redhill Citizens Advice volunteers was how to advise clients on claiming Universal Credit. The new benefit reached Surrey for the first time this month. It replaces six existing working age benefits which will be gradually phased out. To begin with just a small number of […]
There will be winners and losers as the new system is introduced. A report published today by the respected Institute of Fiscal Studies* is recommended by Citizens Advice as “a decent unbiased assessment”. We agree. Everyone wants the new combined benefit to succeed. Whether in work or looking for a job, millions of citizens have an interest […]