Controversial benefit rolled out in Govan
THE controversial Universal Credit benefit rolls out in Govan today.
In preparation, Glasgow has built a huge network of city-wide and community-based support services in a bid to prevent the shake-up causing hardship and homelessness across the city.
The city council is funding a £2million project to help Glaswegians transitioning to Universal Credit – a contested benefit that has seen rent arrears and foodbank use soar elsewhere in the UK.
Support includes a network of 19 Universal Credit “hubs”. The likes of Glasgow Life, HSCP Homelessness, Glasgow Association for Mental Health, Glasgow Disability Alliance and Citizens’ Advice bureaus across the city will also be on hand to offer help.
Glasgow officials will also work with the Department for Work and Pensions to pilot a new way of handling claims being made by its most vulnerable citizens, with the aim reducing benefit sanctions.
City Treasurer, councillor Allan Gow, said: “Every town and city across the UK has its own Universal Credit horror story – from massive spikes in demand for food-banks, to landlords refusing to house claimants because of rent arrears.
“Glasgow has more experience of dealing with this sort of challenge than almost anywhere – and we are very fortunate to have solid support networks that we can build on.
“But the fact we felt it was essential to invest heavily in those networks and the resilience of our communities, just to of survive Universal Credit, tells you all you need to know.”
Universal Credit replaces six benefits with one monthly payment and is already being claimed by single jobseekers.
Govan Jobcentre is the first office to move over to the new benefit. Laurieston and Newlands will follow on September 26, with Partick and Springburn joining from October 31. The final jobcentres to take on the system will be Castlemilk, Drumchapel and Shettleston on December 5.
A free helpline (0808 169 9901) launched today and online resources with a webchat service is available at gain4u.org.uk.