Universal Credit, the ‘new’ single working-age benefit, today reaches Reigate and Banstead in its full service form.
From now on, people making new claims in any area covered by 6 ‘legacy’ benefits* must apply online for UC. If successful, their benefit will be paid monthly direct to their bank account – another change to the existing system.
Problems with the prolonged introduction of UC have scarcely been out of the headlines in recent months.
As a measure of the importance of the move to full service after a limited start last year, a meeting of Surrey advisers and stakeholders at Redhill Job Centre today will be attended in person by the top civil servant at the Department of Work and Pensions.
The need for care on all sides to avoid making a complicated transfer more difficult than need be was illustrated yesterday when a client we were helping with a claim for Employment and Support Alliance was informed had the claim blocked at 2.00 pm
More news from the Job Centre ‘launch’ and updates in the days ahead.
Full details of Universal credit