Legal News

The impact of Universal Credit on social housing tenants and owner-occupiers is being assessed under a pilot scheme in West Yorkshire.

Staff from West Yorkshire’s housing association Incommunities with colleagues at Bradford Council, Jobcentre Plus and the Community Advice Network will assess the impact of Universal Credit (UC) on around 250 households in the area.

From February officers from Incommunities are starting visits to the homes involved in the pilot scheme in Thornbury to gauge how prepared they are for the switch from multiple welfare benefits to one UC payment, which primarily affects claimants of working age.

Thornbury has been chosen for the pilot because it has an appropriate ratio of social housing tenants and owner-occupiers receiving benefits.

UC will combine six existing benefits into one, including Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Employment Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support and Working Tax Credit.

A major change introduced under Universal Credit it the payment of Housing Benefit – which pays for rent – directly to claimants, rather than their landlords as happened previously.

Potential issues involve housing benefit claimants not being able to afford to pay their rent if they are in debt, or have an overdraft which “swallows up” the UC payment.

In the future those wishing to claim benefits will have to make an application online for Universal Credit, rather than visit a Job Centre. This may prove a barrier to claiming if a claimant is not computer literate or does not have access to a computer, such as in rural areas where there may not be a library or a community centre where computers are available.

Director of Income Management at Incommunities, Dave Dickens, said:

“Universal Credit represents a big change for thousands of working age residents in the district.

“In anticipation of its introduction, this pilot aims to give us a clearer picture of how prepared people are – and identify where they might need help.

“Working with our partners including Bradford Council, we are committed to helping everyone get ready for its introduction.”

Universal Credit is available for claimants who are out-of-work and on low incomes, subject to assessment by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Duncan Lewis Housing Lawyers

Duncan Lewis housing lawyers is a leading firm of Legal Aid lawyers and can advise social housing tenants, rental tenants and owner-occupiers on a wide range of housing matters including:

• Conveyancing
• Debt management
• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing Benefit
• Housing possession
• Landlord and Tenant disputes
• Local Authority housing
• Mortgage repossession
• Unlawful eviction.

For expert legal advice on housing law call Duncan Lewis housing lawyers on 020 7923 4020.