Make the most out of Universal Credit
HALTON’S 10,000 Universal Credit (UC) claimants have been urged to make sure they are accessing they are entitled to.
The Department For Work And Pensions (DWP) said that in addition to benefits payments, further support is available.
It said six key elements of UC to consider are:
Up to 85% of childcare costs can be reimbursed under UC. Working parents who receive UC can apply for up to £646.35 per month if they have one child one child and up to £1,108.40 for two or more.
Holders of a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card can receive up to 50% off train and bus travel. These are valid for all journey types and help jobseekers to attend interviews and appointments.
Work coaches can give further advice.
Flexible Support Fund cash is available to help jobhunters cover the cost of starting work. This cash does not have to be paid back and can cover essentials such as clothes, uniforms and interview travel.
Households on UC having a child might be entitled to a one-off payment called the Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500, which does not have be repaid.
Savings on council tax bills are also possible and in some cases claimants might not need to pay anything at all. Apply online at gov.uk.
Support is also available for those wanting to start saving under the Government’s Help To Save scheme, which is open to UC claimants and some Working Tax Credit. Participants can save between £1 and £50 a month and after two years the Government will award an extra 50p for every £1 saved.
According to the DWP there are 5,546 UC claimants in Runcorn and 4,854 in Widnes, totalling 10,400.
Extra support can be accessed with Citizens Advice’s Help To Claim service.
All Jobcentre branches have wi-fi and computers for clients to use also.
Will Quince, welfare minister, said: “We are helping people to access the support they need, and Universal Credit can help you pay essential bills, such as housing and childcare.
“We know life can be complicated at times, but claiming benefits doesn’t have to be.
“If you need help, our staff are here to simplify the system and make sure you’re getting the right level of support.”