Millions of people who claim Universal Credit will see their benefits impacted by six upcoming changes.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently announced six changes, and at a time where bills are skyrocketing, claimants are being urged to be aware. Universal Credit claimants will be affected as we head into the final three months of the year before Christmas.
The cost of living crisis is dominating conversation across the country currently, with a new Prime Minister Liz Truss now in Downing Street. How that affects the DWP going forward remains to be seen.
READ MORE: DWP offering 15 payment boosts for those on Universal Credit
But claimants will see six changes coming to their benefits before the end of the year. These include extra payments, and a Christmas bonus, reports Birmingham Live.
Working hours
The current system states that anyone on the benefit and working a minimum of nine hours doesn't need to attend regular appointments at their local Job Centre. But according to comments made by Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey, this will soon rise to 12 hours.
In an interview with the Telegraph, she said that the change will come in “very soon”, but failed to pen an exact timeframe or date.
Migration
Between November 2022 and late 2026, the DWP aims to move all existing legacy benefit claims over to Universal Credit under a scheme called 'managed migration' or 'Move To UC'. The six legacy benefits being replaced by Universal Credit are:
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
Some areas are already receiving letters from the DWP informing them of the changes.
Extra payments
A £650 Cost of Living payment is being delivered in two instalments for eligible recipients. Most would have already received their first payment of £326 by now, however, the DWP has noted that more complex claims and those waiting for an award decision will have their payment delayed.
A £150 Disability Cost of Living payment will be provided to those receiving a disability benefit. If you get a qualifying disability benefit from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and a qualifying disability benefit from DWP, you will get one £150 payment from DWP only. If you are entitled to Winter Fuel Payment for 2022/23 you may receive an extra £300 on your claim. In order to be eligible, you must be of State Pension age (66 or above) during the qualifying week of 19-25 September 2022.
All households in the UK will be automatically eligible for the £400 discount which will be paid by energy suppliers to customers over a six-month period, starting from October 2022.
Looking for work
The new rule will require those affected to work more hours, step up their efforts to find work or attend more mandatory meetings with job centre staff. Under the intensive work search regime, claimants are expected to devote up to 35 hours a week to work-related activities. This may be adjusted for people with health conditions or caring responsibilities, however.
Christmas bonus
Eligible claimants will receive an extra £10 to cover costs over the festive period. Although it may not seem like a lot, this could be used towards food, or electricity this Christmas as the cost of living crisis continues.
Fast-track
Fast-tracked access to Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance will be extended to more people in the final year of their life. The changes will extend eligibility to this end of life support from six to 12 months.
The changes mean people who are thought to be in their final year of their life will be able to receive vital support through ‘Special Rules’, six months earlier than they were able to previously.
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