The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that millions of Universal Credit claimants will be impacted by six impending changes, and is urging claimants to be aware of what they are.
As we head into the final three months of the year and towards Christmas, Universal Credit claimants will be affected at a time when bills are skyrocketing. The cost of living crisis continues to dominate conversation across the country, following new Prime Minister Liz Truss unveiling energy plans that mean households could pay almost double what they were in August 2021 for energy bills.
It remains to be seen how Liz Truss's appointment as prime minister will affect the DWP going forward. However, Universal Credit claimants can see the six changes coming to their benefits before the end of the year below, as reported by BirminghamLive.
Read more: DWP extra £270 monthly payment and Christmas bonus you may not know you're eligible to claim
Working hours
Currently, anyone on Universal Credit and working a minimum of nine hours doesn't need to attend regular appointments at their local Job Centre. However, this will soon rise to 12 hours according to comments made by Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Coffey said the change will come in "very soon", without providing an exact timeframe or date.
Migration
The DWP is aiming to move all legacy benefit claims over to Universal Credit between November 2022 and late 2026 under a scheme called 'managed migration' or 'Move To UC'. The six legacy benefits being replaced by Universal Credit are:
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
Some areas are already receiving letters from the DWP informing them of the changes. Northumberland is reportedly ready to follow suit on Monday September 12.
Extra payments
Eligible recipients will be delivered a £650 Cost of Living payment in two instalments. Most will have already received the first payment of £326 by now but the DWP has noted that more complex claims and those waiting for an award decision are likely to have their payment delayed.
Those receiving a disability benefit will also receive a £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment. For those who qualify for a disability benefit from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and a qualifying disability benefit from the DWP, you will only get one £150 payment from the DWP.
Should you be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for 2022/23, you may receive an extra £300 on your claim. In order to be eligible, you must be of State Pension age (66+) during the qualifying week of September 19 - 25 2022.
All UK households will be automatically eligible for the £400 discount which will be paid by energy suppliers to customers over a six-month period, starting from October 2022.
Looking for work
This new rule requires those affected to work more hours, step up their efforts to find work or attend more mandatory meetings with job centre staff. Claimants are expected to devote up to 35 hours a week to work-related activities under the intensive work search regime, though this may be adjusted for people with health conditions or caring responsibilities.
Christmas bonus
Eligible claimants will receive an extra £10 towards covering costs over the festive period.
Fast track
Fast-tracked access to Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance will be extended to more people in the final year of their life. The changes will extend eligibility for end of life support from six months to twelve.
The changes mean that people thought to be in their final year of life can receive vital support through 'Special Rules', six months earlier than they could previously.
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15 ways people on DWP Universal Credit can get more financial help to ease cash struggle
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DWP error could mean thousands of parents are missing out on state pension cash
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New rules mean 300,000 households will miss out on energy discount this winter
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Martin Lewis explains what Liz Truss' energy bills announcement means for households
