Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 6 November 2017 to Question 110019, on universal credit, how many and what proportion of claimants transferring to other benefits took up their entitlement for an advance without a needs assessment.

When a claimant moves from a legacy benefit to Universal Credit, they can ask for a Universal Credit Advance (benefit transfer) if they need help to manage the transition to a monthly paid benefit. This type of advance does not require a claimant to demonstrate financial need but they must be able to repay it over the required 12 months timescale.

The latest statistics, for October 2017, show that 2,400 Benefit Transfer advances were paid to new claim who go on to receive a Universal Credit payment. This represents 10% of all new claims made to Universal Credit Full Service in October 2017. 62% of new claims that have an entitlement to a Universal Credit payment received either a Benefit Transfer advance or a New Claim advance.

We have also provided communications to increase the visibility of Universal Credit Advances so claimants are made aware of their availability; how to apply for them and the period over which they can be repaid.