Controversial Universal Credit rollout complete at jobcentres
THE controversial Universal Credit benefit is now fully rolled out to all the jobcentres in Wales.
It is the biggest change to the welfare state in a generation and is being slowly rolled out across the UK to replace six other benefits with a single monthly payment.
The rollout for new claimants or people with altered circumstances started in Wales in April 2017 in Flintshire, with new areas being added ever since. In November, it was extended to parts of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
It has now reached all of the country’s 59 job centres, including Ammanford, Bangor, Caernarfon, Carmarthen, Dolgellau, Llanelli, Porthmadog and Pwllheli, which all joined the Universal Credit live service on Wednesday.
At the moment there are 68,136 people receiving Universal Credit in Wales and, by the end of the full rollout, scheduled for 2023, Citizens Advice estimates that more than 400,000 households in Wales will be in receipt of the benefit.
We spoke to lots of them recently for a special report.
People in the system say they have been beset by problems and pushed into poverty from the start. One common theme is that families have to go for five weeks until the first payment comes through.
Research shows food bank usage rises in areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out. According to the Trussell Trust, food banks see a 52% increase in demand 12 months after rollout.
It is next year when existing claimants will start being contacted by the DWP to apply for Universal Credit.
Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “Universal Credit is a force for good, and everyone in Wales that visits a jobcentre from now on will be able to access a better, modern benefit with personalised support.
“Universal Credit is working for the vast majority of people, and in Wales we’ve seen almost 200,000 more people move into work since 2010. However, I will continue to monitor closely and make improvements where needed.”
Lindsey Kearton, senior policy officer Wales for Citizens Advice, has previously said its offices across Wales have helped more than 6,200 people with 10,000 problems related to Universal Credit in the last 12 months.
She said the system was working for the majority but a significant minority were having problems, which they often had to deal with on top of health conditions or complex living situations.
She said the weeks-long wait for the first payment had serious consequences for finances, with people running into substantial debt and falling behind on rent and council tax payments.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “In 2019, no more than 10,000 claimants will be moved from the legacy system across to Universal Credit across the whole of the UK as part of managed migration. People receiving legacy benefits in Wales will continue to receive payments as usual and won’t be asked to make a claim for Universal Credit unless they have a change in circumstances.”
The spokeswoman added that new claimants could ask for a full month’s advance if need be, which was often paid on the same day.
The DWP spokesperson added: “With Universal Credit no one has to wait for support before their first payment if they need it and 100% advance payments are available from day one.
“We are listening to people’s feedback as the benefit rolls out and recently announced a £4.5bn cash boost to the system.”
From the end of last month, claimants in Wales can access the full universal credit online service in Welsh or English.
The Welsh online system mirrors the English version, providing the same level of service and allowing people to use their language of choice.
■ Over 50% behind with their rent – page 41