Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the Government will pay tax credits claimants transitioning to universal credit until the their first universal credit payment is received.

Unlike Tax Credits, Universal Credit is assessed and paid monthly and is based on claimants’ actual earnings in the month, rather than their annual income.

It is not possible to award a Universal Credit payment as soon as a claim is made, as the assessment period must run its course before the award of Universal Credit can be calculated. As a claimant’s first Universal Credit payment is paid from the date the claim was made, continuing to pay Tax Credits to former claimants in the interim period would result in dual provision.

However, no one has to wait for financial support. Advance payments are available from day one to ensure that families have money to support them through this period.

In addition, to support people during the Covid-19 outbreak we have made advances available online and over the phone, ensuring that claimants do not need to attend a jobcentre.