Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment

Work and Pensions Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 9 Mar 2020 Closed: 2 Feb 2022 Parliament page
This inquiry looked at the five week wait that faces new Universal Credit claimants before receiving their first benefits payment. It examined the options that the Department for Work and Pensions could consider for reducing or ending the wait and explore other possible solutions. Read the call for evidence to … Read more
26 Recommendations
29 Conclusions
1 Report
6 Oral sessions
7 Letters
6 Events
Activity timeline 21 events
16 Jul
2021
Correspondence
12 Jan
2021
Report published
19 Oct
2020
Report published
24 Sep
2020
Correspondence
11 Sep
2020
Correspondence
11 Sep
2020
Correspondence
11 Sep
2020
Correspondence
2 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
2 Sep
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
28 Aug
2020
Correspondence
15 Jul
2020
Oral evidence
15 Jul
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
2 Sep 2020
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Work and Pensions Committee meeting
Gareth Davies · Department for Transport Jonathan Davidson · Financial Conduct Authority Joshua Reddaway · National Audit Office Nisha Arora · Financial Conduct Authority
15 Jul 2020
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Work and Pensions Committee meeting
Neil Couling · Department for Work and Pensions Will Quince MP · Department for Education
1 Jul 2020
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Work and Pensions Committee meeting
Gareth Morgan · Ferret Information Systems Phil Booth · medConfidential Rt Hon Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP · Department for Work and Pensions Stephen Brien · Department for Work and Pensions The Baroness Stroud · Department for Work and Pensions Tom Loosemore · Public Digital
24 Jun 2020
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Work and Pensions Committee meeting
Adam Smith · Kent County Council Hugh Owen · Riverside Housing Group Jacqueline Hickmore · Cornwall Housing Jeremy Hewer · Scottish Federation of Housing Associations Laura Courtney · Community Housing Cymru Muhammed Butt · London Councils Noel Duke · Harrogate Borough Council Sheila McKandie · Highland Council Sue Ramsden · National Housing Federation
17 Jun 2020
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Work and Pensions Committee meeting
Anvar Sarygulov · Bright Blue Ben Fell · Policy in Practice Dr Mandy Cheetham · Teesside University Dr Sophie Wickham · Department of Public Health, Policy & Systems, University of Liverpool Mike Brewer · Resolution Foundation Nicholas Timmins · Institute for Government Patrick Spencer · Centre for Social Justice
10 Jun 2020
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Work and Pensions Committee meeting
Emma Revie · Trussell Trust Gemma Hope · Leonard Cheshire Iain Porter · Joseph Rowntree Foundation Jennifer Harrison · Changing Lives Mark Gale · Young Women's Trust Minesh Patel · Mind Peter Tutton · StepChange Tom Lee · Child Poverty Action Group
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report: Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment HC 204 19 Oct 2020 55 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
55 results
1 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The wait for a first payment of Universal Credit is not the only source of...
The wait for a first payment of Universal Credit is not the only source of the problems people face, but it can exacerbate them. For people who may already be going through a difficult time, enduring five weeks—or longer—without any … Read more
Government Response
The Department has still not published its own analysis of the drivers of foodbank use, which it commissioned in 2018 and which it originally planned to publish in October 2019. … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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2 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
DWP has previously adopted a sceptical attitude towards the evidence linking food bank use with...
DWP has previously adopted a sceptical attitude towards the evidence linking food bank use with Universal Credit. The Minister has now recognised that the Department needs to do more to improve its understanding of the what causes food bank use … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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3 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The Trussell Trust’s data, described by the National Audit Office as the best research it...
The Trussell Trust’s data, described by the National Audit Office as the best research it has seen, establishes an association between Universal Credit and food bank use. We share the National Audit Office’s view that the Department should conduct further … Read more
Government Response
Ministers meet stakeholders regularly, and listen carefully to their views and research. As part of the Central Government Corporate Transparency Commitments, these Ministerial meetings with stakeholders, are published on a … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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4 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We also heard evidence which suggests that people on Universal Credit are more likely to...
We also heard evidence which suggests that people on Universal Credit are more likely to have rent arrears than people still claiming legacy benefits. The Department’s own data show that, while some people who come onto Universal Credit have pre-existing … Read more
Government Response
As ministers have updated the Committee previously, the Department reallocated resources to prioritise its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department will not be conducting nor commissioning any research. This … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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5 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
There is also research which found evidence of an increased prevalence of psychological distress, following...
There is also research which found evidence of an increased prevalence of psychological distress, following the introduction of Universal Credit, among people affected by the policy. The research was not able to delineate whether a change of benefit system in … Read more
Government Response
As ministers have updated the Committee previously, the Department reallocated resources to prioritise its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department will not be conducting nor commissioning any research. This … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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6 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
DWP should conduct or commission research, before the end of this financial year, to develop...
DWP should conduct or commission research, before the end of this financial year, to develop its understanding of the impact of Universal Credit, particularly the wait for the first payment, on the rising use of food banks; on claimants’ levels … Read more
Government Response
As ministers have updated the Committee previously, the Department reallocated resources to prioritise its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department will not be conducting nor commissioning any research. This … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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7 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
DWP should publish details of the meetings that it holds with stakeholders, like the Trussell...
DWP should publish details of the meetings that it holds with stakeholders, like the Trussell Trust, to ensure that the public and Parliament know that important and well-regarded research, such as that produced by the Trussell Trust, is considered when … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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8 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
People who are moving to Universal Credit through managed migration are doing so because of...
People who are moving to Universal Credit through managed migration are doing so because of a decision by the Government. Nothing in their own circumstances has changed. Under the Government’s plans, however, they would have to wait at least five … Read more
Government Response
No one has to wait 5 weeks to receive money through UC and advances are available from day 1 of a claim for those who need it, with many claimants … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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9 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
At present, the Government plans to mitigate the impact of the five week wait on...
At present, the Government plans to mitigate the impact of the five week wait on this group of claimants by offering two week run-on payments of some, but not all, of the legacy benefits they are currently receiving. That is … Read more
Government Response
recognising the likely increase in the numbers of claimants over this winter. We also recommend that the deduction cap should be reduced further, to 10%, in recognition of the fact … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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10 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We recommend that DWP should eliminate the five week wait for all claimants moving to...
We recommend that DWP should eliminate the five week wait for all claimants moving to Universal Credit through managed migration, including for claimants moving from tax credits. Those claimants should continue to receive their existing benefits during their first monthly … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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11 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We recommend that DWP set out, in response to our report, a detailed analysis of...
We recommend that DWP set out, in response to our report, a detailed analysis of how our recommended approach could work in practice. It should also assess how the costs of this approach would compare with the costs of its … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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12 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The evidence we received was overwhelmingly in favour of some form of initial, non-repayable payment...
The evidence we received was overwhelmingly in favour of some form of initial, non-repayable payment for new Universal Credit claimants. That would give new claimants the money they need for basic living essentials like food and heating, without requiring them … Read more
Government Response
DWP works with HM Treasury to address any technical barriers in order to ensure that Advances are included in the scheme from its launch, so that UC claimants can benefit … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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13 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We have considered the various options carefully.
We have considered the various options carefully. In recommending a course of action, we have chosen an approach which offers simplicity: a simple amount of money, so it is clear to claimants what they can expect, and a simple process, … Read more
Government Response
There is not a need for a starter payment in UC as New Claim Advances are available urgently to claimants if they are in need of financial help. As a … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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14 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We recommend that the Department pay all first time claimants of Universal Credit a “starter...
We recommend that the Department pay all first time claimants of Universal Credit a “starter payment” equivalent to three weeks of the Standard Allowance of Universal Credit. This payment should be made two weeks after the initial claim, and only … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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15 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
Terminally ill people already face thousands of pounds of additional costs because of their illness,...
Terminally ill people already face thousands of pounds of additional costs because of their illness, and the money provided by Universal Credit counts more than ever. We welcome the fact that the Department has been reviewing how the Special Rules … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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16 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The starter payments we have recommended would also be available to people making claims under...
The starter payments we have recommended would also be available to people making claims under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness. We recommend that the Department consider what further support it could offer to people making claims for Universal Credit … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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17 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
Advance payments can provide a valuable lifeline to people who might otherwise face going five...
Advance payments can provide a valuable lifeline to people who might otherwise face going five weeks—or longer—without any income. The changes that DWP has introduced so far, especially allowing people to request Advances equivalent to their entire expected award and … Read more
Government Response
A new claim Advance is not a loan. It allows for UC entitlement to be spread over thirteen payments rather than twelve in a year. Use of incorrect terminology in … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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18 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
Even with starter payments of the kind we have recommended, we anticipate that some claimants...
Even with starter payments of the kind we have recommended, we anticipate that some claimants would still need to ask for an Advance to cover their immediate 80 Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment costs. But some claimants … Read more
Government Response
We recognise that a number of organisations have raised concerns as to whether the explicit consent rules are sufficiently flexible. The Department agreed to explore options for improving the process … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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19 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The Department continues to claim that Advances are not loans, but we find that argument...
The Department continues to claim that Advances are not loans, but we find that argument impossible to accept. Advances must be repaid at a set rate, over a set period. The Department risks misleading claimants, and damaging its own credibility, … Read more
Government Response
A new claim Advance is not a loan. It allows for UC entitlement to be spread over thirteen payments rather than twelve in a year. Use of incorrect terminology in … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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20 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We recommend that Advances should be renamed “new claim loans”, so that it is clear...
We recommend that Advances should be renamed “new claim loans”, so that it is clear to claimants that they will need to be repaid. Before a new claim loan is granted in full, the Department should provide personalised budgeting support—when … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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21 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
For this group of claimants, the burden of future repayments of Advances is likely to...
For this group of claimants, the burden of future repayments of Advances is likely to be particularly difficult to bear. Given that benefits broadly provide people with a subsistence level of income, any system that reduces that monthly income, including … Read more
Government Response
DWP except in clear cases of deliberate fraud. Similarly, where a claimant is expected to complete a Work Capability Assessment to assess how much money they are entitled to, the … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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22 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The Department should strive to bring in the extension to the repayment period and lowering...
The Department should strive to bring in the extension to the repayment period and lowering of the deduction cap sooner than planned, no later than April 2021— recognising the likely increase in the numbers of claimants over this winter. We … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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23 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
DWP has capped the deductions that claimants can face from their Universal Credit award at...
DWP has capped the deductions that claimants can face from their Universal Credit award at 30%, and yet in some circumstances, such as where a claimant has rent or fuel arrears, or benefit sanctions, DWP can deduct more than this … Read more
Government Response
We agree it is vital claimants start an application at the point of need and would encourage people to check their eligibility online through independent benefit calculators which can be … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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24 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The Department says that claimants who are struggling can already defer repayments of their Advance...
The Department says that claimants who are struggling can already defer repayments of their Advance for three months. But the evidence we have heard from charities who work with claimants is that this option is not effectively communicated. Without reliable … Read more
Government Response
The Department has no plans to publish any additional data on advances at this point. However, we will provide information on advances via our 2020/21 Annual report and Accounts, which … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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25 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We welcome the announcement of the Breathing Space scheme, which is scheduled to be introduced...
We welcome the announcement of the Breathing Space scheme, which is scheduled to be introduced next year, and the Government’s confirmation that Advances in Universal Credit will be covered by the scheme. We find it disappointing, however, that debts in … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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26 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
Some people in financial distress during the wait for their first payment can face a...
Some people in financial distress during the wait for their first payment can face a difficult choice between using their Advance to pay their housing costs, or to cover other essential costs, such as food or heating. No one should … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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27 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We recommend that vulnerable claimants or claimants with specific needs are prioritised for having the...
We recommend that vulnerable claimants or claimants with specific needs are prioritised for having the housing element of their Advance paid directly to their landlord. This could include people with learning disabilities, people with mental illness, people who have previously … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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28 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
DWP was right to increase the standard allowance for Universal Credit and support for housing...
DWP was right to increase the standard allowance for Universal Credit and support for housing costs as part of its response to the pandemic. Benefit rates, and in particular support for housing costs, had become detached from the actual cost … Read more
Government Response
We are committed to providing tailored support to all claimants, including through split payments where appropriate. However, we believe that most couples can and want to manage their finances jointly … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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29 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
Help to Claim is a hugely valuable service for people who are applying for Universal...
Help to Claim is a hugely valuable service for people who are applying for Universal Credit. But its focus is on helping people to complete their initial claim. It does not provide support for people throughout their claim, to help … Read more
Government Response
The previous Universal Support offer had met with regular criticism from stakeholders, including the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which described support as inconsistent and “far from Universal”. Help to … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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30 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We recommend that the Department invests in expanding and developing Help to Claim so that...
We recommend that the Department invests in expanding and developing Help to Claim so that the service can provide support to people beyond the application process. This should include debt advice, support for people who are struggling with Advance repayments, … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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31 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
DWP currently lacks a comprehensive system for recording and tracking claimants’ needs.
DWP currently lacks a comprehensive system for recording and tracking claimants’ needs. The introduction of pinned notes is a step in the right direction but, as the National Audit Office said, pinned notes are the digital equivalent of a post-it … Read more
Government Response
Where it is identified, either from our own agents or via referrals from local services, that a claimant can’t make or manage their claim online, staff are able to offer … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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32 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
DWP must immediately make improvements to the Universal Credit system to formalise how it identifies...
DWP must immediately make improvements to the Universal Credit system to formalise how it identifies and defines vulnerable claimants, as part of its overall approach to safeguarding vulnerable people. This will be a substantial piece of work, and DWP should … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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33 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
Support organisations have expressed concern that DWP’s approach to data sharing and consent has had...
Support organisations have expressed concern that DWP’s approach to data sharing and consent has had a detrimental effect on their ability to support vulnerable claimants. The Department now says it is exploring options for improving its model Universal Credit: the … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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34 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
DWP has made substantial progress in improving payment timeliness,.
DWP has made substantial progress in improving payment timeliness,. The Department has increased the proportion of people paid on time from just over half in 2017 to over 90% in 2020—a significant feat given the recent upsurge in Universal Credit … Read more
Government Response
No one has to wait 5 weeks to receive money through UC and advances are available from day 1 of a claim for those who need it, with many claimants … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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35 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We welcome the announcement of funding for the recruitment of over 13,500 new Work Coaches—double...
We welcome the announcement of funding for the recruitment of over 13,500 new Work Coaches—double the current number—over the next financial year. This is an ambitious programme of recruitment. The Committee would welcome a written update from the Department, by … Read more
Government Response
The Department is continually impacting and assessing the service being offered to claimants and we keep staff numbers and estates provision under constant review as part of our response to … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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36 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We acknowledge that most disabled people and people with health conditions receive the core elements...
We acknowledge that most disabled people and people with health conditions receive the core elements of their claim on time. However, we find it troubling that, because of the time taken to complete the Work Capability Assessment process, people must … Read more
Government Response
During the 13-week assessment period, which applies to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and the 3-month relevant period which applies to UC, claimants will receive either the assessment rate of … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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37 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The Universal Credit application process requires claimants to provide a great deal of information about...
The Universal Credit application process requires claimants to provide a great deal of information about their circumstances, to enable the Department to assess their claim. When they have done this, Universal Credit claimants rightly expect that they should be paid … Read more
Government Response
Payment timeliness in UC in ‘normal’ times is already well above the levels in legacy benefits. Where there are opportunities to improve timeliness further, without damaging efforts on verification, we … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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38 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
Repayments of tax credit overpayments can compound hardship for people who may already be struggling.
Repayments of tax credit overpayments can compound hardship for people who may already be struggling. The evidence that some people are left unaware of these debts, which can be several years old, until they make a claim for Universal Credit, … Read more
Government Response
We understand the impact that debt can have on the wellbeing of claimants and we endeavour to ensure that the recovery of any overpayment is managed in a way that … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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39 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The recovery of Tax Credit debt from claimants’ Universal Credit awards clearly presents problems.
The recovery of Tax Credit debt from claimants’ Universal Credit awards clearly presents problems. However, the option of returning responsibility to HMRC now would be too challenging to deliver in practice. Instead, we recommend that DWP should continue to collect … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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40 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We welcome the Minister’s recognition that the Department needs to improve its understanding of the...
We welcome the Minister’s recognition that the Department needs to improve its understanding of the reasons why so many people claim for Universal Credit long after they become eligible. The Department must prioritise this work so that it can tackle … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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41 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
Many claimants are simply unaware that they can ask for their claim to be backdated...
Many claimants are simply unaware that they can ask for their claim to be backdated by a month. Even when they do ask for backdating, they sometimes face an intrusive and bureaucratic process. We recommend that the Department review the … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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42 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
Currently, backdating is only permitted up to a month before the claim was submitted.
Currently, backdating is only permitted up to a month before the claim was submitted. Given the seriousness of the life events which might allow the backdating of a claim—bereavement, serious illness, relationship breakdown—this period seems astonishingly short. We recommend that, … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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43 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The Universal Credit Transition Fund is an initiative to support vulnerable people in applying for...
The Universal Credit Transition Fund is an initiative to support vulnerable people in applying for Universal Credit as soon as they are eligible, and rightly puts organisations that work most closely with these groups at the centre. Timely applications to … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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44 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
While monthly payments do mirror the world of work for many, DWP’s own figures show...
While monthly payments do mirror the world of work for many, DWP’s own figures show that a significant minority of people who claim Universal Credit received or continue to receive weekly or fortnightly wages. Other sources suggest that a majority … Read more
Government Response
UC encourages all claimants to take responsibility for their own financial affairs and helps them to develop the financial capability to do so. Therefore, households are expected to manage their … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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45 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We recommend that the Department provide new and clearer guidance for Work Coaches to mitigate...
We recommend that the Department provide new and clearer guidance for Work Coaches to mitigate the impact of the wait and monthly payment system by making the option of more frequent payments under Alternative Payment Arrangements easy for all claimants … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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46 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We recommend that the Department publishes the guidance given to Work Coaches when they advise...
We recommend that the Department publishes the guidance given to Work Coaches when they advise people on APAs, to improve transparency in the process. The Department should make clear when and how a claimant is made aware of APAs both … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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47 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
Universal Credit works best when it mirrors people’s daily lives.
Universal Credit works best when it mirrors people’s daily lives. Payments which align with people’s rent schedules could make it easier for claimants to budget and plan. We recommend that the Department explain in response to our report whether it … Read more
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48 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
While Scottish Government data shows a quarter of people revert from More Frequent Payments under...
While Scottish Government data shows a quarter of people revert from More Frequent Payments under Scottish Choices, DWP’s research does not provide a detailed understanding of how the Department monitors how more frequent payments work for people, and what it … Read more
Government Response
The Department already publishes quality information on Alternative Payments Arrangements. Requests from stakeholders to provide additional statistics, to meet their changing needs, are always carefully considered. The Committee’s recommendation to … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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49 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We recommend that the DWP improve the quality and detail of its published data on...
We recommend that the DWP improve the quality and detail of its published data on alternative payments, by publishing its figures on how many people revert to monthly payments from the twice monthly payment option in England and Wales. DWP … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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50 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
Faster Payments offer the Department a quick and efficient way to pay claimants.
Faster Payments offer the Department a quick and efficient way to pay claimants. They could, if more widely used, reduce the time that people have to wait for a first payment. The Department already has plans to increase its use … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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51 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
It is disappointing that suggestions to improve Universal Credit have apparently been thwarted by an...
It is disappointing that suggestions to improve Universal Credit have apparently been thwarted by an IT system which was supposed to be developed in an agile fashion, yet seems to be anything but. It is unfortunate that such a rigid, … Read more
Government Response
The Committee has repeatedly pointed out how well Universal Credit (UC) has performed across the pandemic. We have adapted our processes and practices in an agile way, enabling us to … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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52 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The monthly assessment is a core part of design of Universal Credit for the Department...
The monthly assessment is a core part of design of Universal Credit for the Department and is the guiding reason behind the five-week wait and payment in arrears. Although the Department says that most people in the wider economy are … Read more
Government Response
The proposed system described by the Committee cannot easily be operationalised because, whilst you can conceptualise it for an individual case with regular earnings, you cannot reliably run it where … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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53 Recommendation
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
We recommend that the Department assesses a model in which it estimates people’s daily pay...
We recommend that the Department assesses a model in which it estimates people’s daily pay rate from data it already receives from HMRC, as suggested by Ferret Information Systems, and in which it would make payments from day one of … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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54 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The coronavirus pandemic has put the Universal Credit system under unprecedented strain.
The coronavirus pandemic has put the Universal Credit system under unprecedented strain. It has also highlighted the strengths of its digital, automated processes: a manual system could not have coped with millions of new claims in such a short time. … Read more
Government Response
The Committee has repeatedly pointed out how well Universal Credit (UC) has performed across the pandemic. We have adapted our processes and practices in an agile way, enabling us to … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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55 Conclusion
Third Report: Universal Credit: th…
The five week wait for a first payment of Universal Credit is an inevitable consequence...
The five week wait for a first payment of Universal Credit is an inevitable consequence of the fixed monthly assessment period. It is very difficult to remove the wait for 88 Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment all … Read more
Government Response
No one has to wait five weeks for a payment. Advances – which allow thirteen UC payments to be spread over twelve months - are available for those claimants who … Read more
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Correspondence 7 letters
16 Jul 2021 Correspondence with Minister for Welfare Delivery - joint meeting with House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee follow up
Parliament page
24 Sep 2020 Correspondence from NAO about net recovery rate of fraud and error on Universal Credit
Parliament page
11 Sep 2020 Correspondence with Financial Secretary to the Treasury on the impact of tax credits debt repayments on Universal Credit claimants
Parliament page
11 Sep 2020 Correspondence with the National Audit Office (NAO) on analysis of rent arrears of Universal Credit claimants
Parliament page
11 Sep 2020 Correspondence with Minister for Welfare Delivery on Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment – follow up to 15.7 evidence session
Parliament page
28 Aug 2020 Correspondence with the Financial Conduct Authority about best practice in the consumer lending
Parliament page
27 Apr 2020 Correspondence with the Minister for Welfare Delivery about first payments of Universal Credit
Parliament page