Universal credit warning: computer skills will be vital
Take advantage of free digital lessons, urges Darran
Renfrewshire residents are being urged to learn basic digital skills ahead of Universal Credit coming into effect next week.
From Wednesday, Universal Credit will replace six benefits and tax credits with a single monthly payment, but claims can only be made online using a smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer.
The benefits and tax credits moving onto Universal Credit are: Housing Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
Anyone who claims Universal Credit will also need to go online regularly to see tasks set by their work coach and update their journal to ensure their claim continues to be paid.
Those who claim any of the six benefits or tax credits won’t need to apply for Universal Credit until the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) ask them to – unless they have a change in circumstances.
New claims made after next Wednesday will have to be made for Universal Credit and should be made as soon as possible as the benefit is calculated from the date the claim was submitted and cannot be backdated to an earlier date.
Darran Gillan, youth and programme development manager at Paisley YMCA, says more people need to learn basic digital skills to help them access online only platforms such as UC.
He explained: “Never before has it been more important to have basic