Universal Credit and the new Budget

Last week the Government announced a few changes that will affect Universal Credit. We are still going through the finer details, but here is a quick breakdown of what has changed:

• Universal Credit will now be fully introduced in Teignbridge in September 2018, it was originally due in May 2018
• They have removed the seven waiting days. Your claim entitlement will now start from the date the claim is made
• The wait for the first payment will reduce by one week (from six weeks to five)
• Any household needing an advance can access a full month’s payment within five days of applying
• The repayment period for these advances will be extended from six to 12 months
• New Universal Credit claimants, who are already in receipt of housing benefit, will continue to receive it for two weeks whilst their Universal Credit claim goes through