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Health & Wellbeing Partnership

Understand Universal Credit roll-out timetable, who will be affected, main changes for customers and local authorities, customer support, new welfare support approach, readiness steps, and more.

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Health & Wellbeing Partnership

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  1. Health & Wellbeing Partnership Tuesday 3rd July 2018

  2. Universal Credit Roll-out & Support Provision Julie Auffret – Revenues & Benefits Service Manager

  3. Today’s Discussion • What is Universal Credit • Roll - out timetable • Who will be affected • The main changes & challenges for customers & the LA • Customer Support • New approach to Welfare Support • Getting Ready • Further information

  4. Universal Credit - 6 into 1 Housing Benefit Income related Employment and Support Allowance Income based Jobseekers Allowance Universal Credit Working Tax Credits Child Tax Credit Income Support

  5. Roll Out Timetable • Following a no. of pilot areas, national roll out of UC began in February 2015 - Stockton went live in December 2015. • It was limited to new claims from single households who would otherwise have claimed Jobseekers Allowance. • Jan 2018 pause - no new claims for UC. Rollout timetable adjusted. • Stockton moves to UC ‘Full’ Service from 11th July 2018 • An updated rollout schedule can be found on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-transition-to-full-service

  6. Who Will Be Affected • UC customers • New working age customers claiming any of the 6 benefits. • Existing benefit claimants who have relevant changes in their circumstances • LA responsibilities:- • Pensioners • Families with 3 or more children • Severe disability premium is included in the HB calculation • Supported or Temporary Accommodation – housing cost element only • Existing working age customers, unless they have a significant change in circumstances • Discretionary Housing Payments for HB and UC customers • Crisis and Settlement Support (Back on Track Fund) • Council Tax Support • Migration period 2019-2023

  7. The Main Changes & Challenges For Customers • The Application Process • Apply and manage claim on line • Interview with a work coach at the local job-centre • Claimant Commitment • Sanctions • Payments • Single household monthly payment, paid in arrears • Paid into a bank / Post office account • Housing costs will be included • Generally paid direct to claimant

  8. Reported Challenges For The LA • Significant increase in demand for financial Welfare Support services • Increase in visits to food banks • Increase in rent arrears – risk of homelessness • Decrease in Council Tax Support claims / increase in time spent on CTS claims • Explicit consent required to discuss claims with DWP • Consequential challenges on other LA services supporting vulnerable customers

  9. The Transition to UC • Advance Payments – up to 100% over 12 months • 2 week transitional HB payment • Alternative Payment Arrangements (APA) for Landlords • Landlord Portal / Trusted Partner scheme • Assisted Digital Support – assistance to claim on-line, working with colleagues in customer services and libraries • Free helpline

  10. Our new approach to Welfare Support • Welfare Assistance + Welfare Rights = Welfare Support Service • Personal budgeting support • Discretionary Housing Payments • Council Tax Hardship Payments • Crisis and Settlement • Benefit take up campaigns • Welfare Policy & Training • Benefit checks • Income maximisation • Benefit appeals • Advocacy

  11. Back on Track - Crisis Support • Exceptional event or unforeseen circumstances • Health or safety need that will deteriorate • 16 or over • Stockton Borough Resident • Energy Costs • Food Bank Referrals

  12. Back on Track - Settlement Support • 16 or over, a resident of Stockton Borough or moving into Stockton • Support to remain or move back into the community • Health and/or safety need • Recycled white goods, furniture, carpets, kitchen utensils • Income Support, Job seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or any type of Pension Credit, Universal Credit

  13. Welfare Support – case study

  14. Getting Ready for Full Service • Learning from the experience of others • Regular meetings with DWP & Partners • Working jointly with Customer Services / Libraries • Events - Conferences / Landlord forums • Training / Awareness raising • KYIT • Corporate Project Group

  15. New focus – Longer term solutions • Integrated response to debt • Closer working with Adults • and Children’s services • Barriers to Work • Corporate approach • to welfare support

  16. Summary • Broader range of customers from 11th July 2018 • Migration due to be complete by 2023 • Housing Benefit to continue for a number of our residents • Council Tax Support remains the responsibility of the LA • Digital support/personal budgeting support/welfare support will be available • DWP benefit – explicit consent required • Partnership working

  17. Further Information DWP website - UC Toolkit – Visit www.gov.uk/universalcredit Free Helpline - UC full service: Tel. 0800 328 5644 you o by:- Julie Auffret Revenues & Benefits Service Manager Telephone: 01642 526662 julie.auffret@stockton.gov.uk Billy Park Welfare Support Manager - billy.park@stockton.gov.uk tel. 01642 526226

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