The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that a scheme supporting people making a new claim for Universal Credit will be delivered independently by the Citizens Advice network, in partnership with Citizens Advice Scotland, for another year following a further £21.3 million investment.
The 'Help to Claim' service will now run until March 2023 and since its launch in 2019, has supported over half a million people across the country with their Universal Credit application - nine in 10 benefit claimants who used the service rated their overall experience as 'good' or 'very good'.
Trained advisers provide advice for anyone who requires support to make a new Universal Credit claim, including those moving from a legacy benefit, such as how to collect the relevant evidence and fill in the application.
The Help to Claim service can also help with additional advice such as preparing for a first jobcentre appointment.
The announcement follows recent changes to the Universal Credit taper rate rule, which combined with the DWP’s increase to Work Allowances means hard-working families will see an extra £1,000 a year on average, helping them keep more of what they earn.
Commenting on the extension, Minister for Welfare Delivery David Rutley said: “We remain committed to providing the best possible support for all claimants, including the most vulnerable in society, in both making and maintaining their claim.
“In addition to the support Jobcentre Plus staff already provide, Citizens Advice will continue to deliver high quality, independent advice and we look forward to working closely with them in the months to come.
“For anyone who needs a bit of extra support to claim Universal Credit, Help to Claim is there.”
Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “We’re glad to continue this important service as we’ve seen first hand the difference our advisers make in helping people access Universal Credit.
“We’ll continue to use our frontline insights to suggest enhancements to the way benefits are delivered, further helping the people we support.”
How to access the Help to Claim service
People will be able to access Help to Claim support from Citizens Advice via its website here and through the free phone service between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Help to Claim phone numbers:
- 0800 023 2581 in Scotland
- 0800 144 8444 in England
- 0800 024 1220 in Wales
The service is free, impartial and completely confidential.
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