City of York Council has rolled out Universal Credit to more residents in York from Wednesday, 12 July – and has provided digital support to residents who may need help with budgeting once they switch to the new combined benefit.
Universal Credit is a new benefit handled by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which helps people on a low income or not in work meet their living costs.
Universal Credit combines six benefits – including Housing Benefit and Working Tax Credit – into a single monthly payment.
Currently Universal Credit is only available to single jobseekers in York – but since 12 July, parents and couples have also received it, including those who cannot work because of their health, who are living in the City of York and are making a new claim.
Leader of City of York Council, Councillor David Carr, said:
“Universal Credit is one of the biggest ever changes to the benefit system – and this may cause people to be worried about what will happen to their benefits.
“I would urge people who need assisted digital support or personal budget support to contact the council’s benefits service on 551556 or to visit www.york.gov.uk.”
There are several changes to previous benefits with Universal Credit, including payments being made in arrears once at the end of the month, rather than being paid every week.
Payments will go straight into a claimant's bank account, which means people may need to set up their own direct debits for expenses like rent if it was paid directly to their landlord under the old Housing Benefit system.
The council advises that the Personal Budgeting Support can help with budgeting and advice on finding a bank account, as Universal Credit cannot be paid into a Post Office card account.
City of York Council has also teamed up with South Yorkshire Credit Union Ltd to give tailored advice – which could include consolidating any repayments into a single, more manageable account at a lower, fixed interest rate, rather than resort to unregulated lenders or loan sharks.
The council says that private or council tenants or mortgage holders can also take advantage of the scheme which aims to help people budget and manage any debts.
More information about the rollout of Universal Credit in York is available on the council’s website.
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