Asked by: Catherine McKinnell (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to page 8 of the Government’s July 2016 Keep on Caring strategy, what review his Department has undertaken into extending the exemption from the Shared Accommodation rate of Local Housing Allowance from 22 to 25; and when he plans to publish the findings of that review.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
We have no current plans to extend the exemption for care leavers from the Shared Accommodation Rate to age 25, following the cross Government Paper “Keep on Caring” in 2016. We will however continue to keep this under review and consider evidence from stakeholders on the impact on care leavers.
The most vulnerable care leavers will already be exempt from the Shared Accommodation Rate, for example those in receipt of the severe disability premium
Further since 2011 the Government has provided around £900 million in Discretionary Housing Payment funding to local authorities to help support vulnerable people, including care leavers, mitigate rent shortfalls.
Asked by: Catherine McKinnell (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of care leavers who are receive housing support through universal credit are in rent arrears.
Answered by Damian Hinds
The information requested is not available.
Asked by: Catherine McKinnell (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have been asked voluntarily to move from receiving existing benefits to universal credit in advance of their planned migration in (a) Newcastle upon Tyne, (b) the North East and (c) England in the last 12 months.
Answered by Damian Hinds
The Department does not ask anyone to move voluntarily to universal credit and there are no targets for people to do so. Jobcentre staff engage ahead of and once Universal Credit Full Service has gone live to explain the changes and help our customers prepare, in case they should have a change in their circumstances requiring them to claim Universal Credit.
Asked by: Catherine McKinnell (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has set targets for increasing the number of existing benefit claimants who are voluntarily moved to universal credit ahead of the planned date for their migration.
Answered by Damian Hinds
The Department does not ask anyone to move voluntarily to universal credit and there are no targets for people to do so. Jobcentre staff engage ahead of and once Universal Credit Full Service has gone live to explain the changes and help our customers prepare, in case they should have a change in their circumstances requiring them to claim Universal Credit.
Asked by: Catherine McKinnell (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether people who agree voluntarily to move from existing benefits to universal credit forego the right to any transitional protection against a loss of income.
Answered by Damian Hinds
The Department does not ask anyone to move voluntarily to universal credit and there are no targets for people to do so. Jobcentre staff engage ahead of and once Universal Credit Full Service has gone live to explain the changes and help our customers prepare, in case they should have a change in their circumstances requiring them to claim Universal Credit.
Asked by: Catherine McKinnell (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in what circumstances a first full universal credit payment can be paid within two weeks.
Answered by Damian Hinds
A first full Universal Credit payment cannot be paid within two weeks of making a claim, however, a claimant can apply for an advance of up to 50% of their Universal Credit payment during this period. We have recently refreshed our work coach guidance to make sure work coaches discuss advances with claimants who need them.
Asked by: Catherine McKinnell (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support with budgeting is available for universal credit claimants who are adjusting to monthly payments or have fluctuating incomes.
Answered by Damian Hinds
The main support that is available to claimants to help them manage a monthly payment is the online Money Management tool, designed in conjunction with the Money Advisory Service. This product provides free, impartial budgeting information and advice for claimants, based on their personal circumstances. We also offer Personal Budgeting Support (PBS). This is delivered by Local Authorities and funded by DWP. Personal Budgeting Support is support for those who need help managing the transition to monthly payments and prioritise essential bills. We have also published guidance for claimants on different earning patterns. Please see link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/universal-credit-payment-timeliness-january-to-june-2017
Asked by: Catherine McKinnell (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of claimants have experienced a delay in receiving their first full universal credit payment because they do not have a suitable bank account.
Answered by Damian Hinds
DWP do not collect this data, however there should be no payments of Universal Credit delayed because a claimant does not have a bank account.
A direct payment paid into a bank, building society or credit union account is the Government’s preferred way to make payments. It is the fastest, most secure and efficient way for people to receive their money, and also opens doors to other financial products and savings.
If claimants do not have a suitable bank account however, DWP would pay via an alternative method of payment (such as Post office card, via simple payments or to a third party) in order not to delay payment.