‘Flaws in universal credit fuel poverty’
● vices such as health, housing and social care.
“If anyone does run into problems with Universal Credit, don’t hesitate to contact Citizens Advice Halton for help.”
Across the country one in four working age households will be claiming Universal Credit and more than half of which will be in employment.
The benefit will also be claimed by more than half of all families with children in the UK and six in 10 households where an adult is disabled or has a long term health condition.
A survey of 800 adults found just over a third are waiting more than six weeks for their first payment, and that 11% are waiting at least 10 weeks, and three in five recipients are having to borrow money while waiting to be paid.
The rollout of Universal Credit is due to speed up significantly in October.
Citizens Advice Halton is calling on the Govern- ment to pause the acceleration and use the time to fix key problems with Universal Credit, before thousands more people are brought into the system.
The charity also highlights that unless addressed the challenges could undermine the goals of Universal Credit – to simplify the benefits system and offer people the security and support they need to move into and progress in work.
A case study from the charity for one man in Halton who turned to them after their application was delayed by more than 10 weeks.
A spokesman said: “He had no money to live off, was under pressure from his landlord because he fallen behind with his rent and even had resorted to borrowing money off illegal money lenders.
“The whole ordeal was also having a massive negative impact on his mental health and wellbeing.”
Recommendations suggested by the charity to fix Universal Credit before it is rolled out more widely includes reducing the length of time people have to wait until their first payment, and improve the support available so residents can make ends meet.