Universal Credit fears raised by councillor
A COUNCILLOR has warned that there could be a rapid increase in the number of people in the Staffordshire Moorlands seeking help when Universal Credit is rolled out in the Spring.
Speaking at a meeting of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Bill Cawley said that he had been informed about a case where a woman, who had a 14-year-old child, had run up housing arrears and been threatened with eviction while waiting to be assessed for the new benefits system.
Bodies ranging from the independent National Audit Office to cross-party committees of the House of Commons repeatedly warned that Universal Credit was causing debt and homelessness.
Mr Cawley said that the person involved had gone to the Citizens Advice, but were told that they had to go to the district council for a ‘nil income form.’
In a written question to the council Mr Cawley said: “If a claimant is awaiting a decision for a Universal Credit award or is being sanctioned, the individual can request a nil income form from the council.
“This will reinstate housing benefit and council tax. It will also give the applicant access to further help such as utility meter credit and food vouchers. In the last financial year, how many forms have been requested from SMDC and actioned by the council?”
In reply the district council’s cabinet member for customer services, Tony Hall, said: “Prior to Universal Credit roll out, claimants presenting with such circumstances would be asked to complete a standard claim form stating nil income which could trigger access to additional help depending on the individual circumstances. The council has had no such requests in the last financial year.
“Once a claimant has moved onto Universal Credit, former housing benefit applicants are not able to make a nil claim to reinstate housing benefit as the system gateway is closed once the case switches over. Instead, they can request an advanced payment or budgeting loan from Universal Credit/dwp.
“Their council tax reduction will continue and will be reviewed once the Universal Credit decision is received. If an existing housing benefit claimant is being sanctioned, housing benefit payments will continue.
“There are a number of triggers for food voucher eligibility, including crisis and debt. SMDC’S Customer Service teams and Citizens Advice can support, advise and signpost people, depending on their individual circumstances and we have extensively trained frontline staff and recruited more specialised advisers. Our teams are in constant dialogue with DWP, CAB and many other partners. We are doing everything we can to support claimants through the process.”