6,000 claiming welfare benefits

Almost 6,000 people across Renfrewshire are now receiving Universal Credit, new figures reveal.

Statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP) showed 5,868 people are claiming the benefit.

New benefit claimants now receive one Universal Credit (UC) payment instead of six separate benefits including housing benefit, jobseeker’s allowance, child tax credit, working tax credit and income support.

The controversial benefits system was rolled out across Renfrewshire last year.

In Inverclyde, the picture is similar to that in Renfrewshire, with 5,918 people dependent on UC.

East Renfrewshire has 1,475 residents claiming the benefit.

Across the country, there are 206,000 people receiving UC.

We previously told how Renfrewshire Citizen’s Advice Beaureu (CAB) has helped more than 500 people with their claims since the start of the year.

Kay Taylor, manager of the Renfrewshire branch said the high rates of deprivation in the area are highlighted by the number of people claiming UC.

She said: “Renfrewshire is a high area of deprivation and the figures show that.

“When you look at the likes of Aberdeen City which has 5,209 people and it is still less than Renfrewshire, which is not even a city, it shows that it isn’t a great situation.

“But we are here to help people who need it.”

Around 20 per cent of those people had difficulty making their application.

We also revealed issues faced by Universal Credit applicants who don’t have access to a mobile phone, meaning they are often left without cash as their applications are delayed.

Around five per cent of people they assist can’t find out how their application is progressing because they don’t have a mobile.

This prompted the launch of the Help to Claim project in April, with staff helping applicants negotiate the one-payment system.

Kay and her team of dedicated trained advisors are in place to help the most vulnerable of the almost 6,000 claimants throughout the district.

Kay added: “People who are struggling should to come to us as soon as possible.

“There is nothing we haven’t heard before and we are here to help.”

You can contact the team by phoning 0141 889 2121, submitting an enquiry at www.renfrewshirecab.org.uk or popping into the office to make an appointment.

Renfrewshire is a high area of deprivation Kay Taylor CAB