Guidance

February 2019: Touchbase edition 132

Updated 9 March 2020

Amber Rudd sets out changes to Universal Credit

On 11 January 2019, Amber Rudd, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, announced changes to Universal Credit in line with her priorities to build a fairer and more flexible system for claimants.

She announced that government will not extend the 2-child limit on Universal Credit for children born before 6 April 2017, when the policy came into effect, benefitting around 15,000 families.

A managed migration pilot to support up to 10,000 people from ‘legacy benefits’ on to Universal Credit in a test and learn approach was also announced. This is alongside testing how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can provide:

• more frequent payments for new claimants
• a new online system for private landlords to request direct rent payments

Read the speech delivered by the Work and Pensions Secretary about the future of Universal Credit.

More Universal Credit changes

Following changes reported in Touchbase 131, DWP has made further changes to Universal Credit to improve the experience for claimants.

Improved new style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claim process

DWP has improved the Interactive Voice Recognition options given to people who call the Universal Credit full service telephone number.

People who want to claim only new style ESA will be connected to a dedicated team who will email them a UCESA1 claim form. The team will also email the provider agent contact in the appropriate jobcentre, who will contact the claimant and book the new style ESA only appointment.

This change, which was introduced in December 2018, means that people who want to claim new style ESA are provided with clear advice and straightforward signposting to help them apply.

Read more about new style Employment and Support Allowance.

Universal Credit and housing costs for 18 to 21 year olds

All 18 to 21 year olds who get Universal Credit can now get payments to help with their housing costs, subject to the normal qualifying conditions.

Before 31 December 2018, people who were 18 to 21 years old were required to meet certain exception criteria to get help with these payments. This change will assure them that if they secure a tenancy they will be entitled to receive support in the normal way.

Read more about housing costs and Universal Credit.

Severe Disability Premium

From 16 January 2019, the following people who get the Severe Disability Premium (SDP) will only be required to move to Universal Credit if they are contacted by DWP:

• people who get the SDP as part of their income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, income-based ESA or Housing Benefit
• people who have received the SDP in the past month and remain entitled to it

DWP will provide transitional protection to ensure people do not lose out when they move to Universal Credit.

People who have already moved to Universal Credit and previously received SDP will remain on Universal Credit. Once regulations have been approved, a process will be implemented identifying people who are eligible for monthly payments and a lump sum payment covering the period since moving to Universal Credit.

Read more in the housing benefit adjudication circular A1/2019 (revised).

How to contact a Universal Credit claimant’s case manager

If you need to contact a Universal Credit claimant’s case manager on their behalf, you should have the following information about the claimant before you call:

• the telephone number the claimant has registered with Universal Credit
• the first line of their address
• their post code
• their date of birth
• permission from the claimant for you to act for them

For information about getting a claimant’s permission to contact a case manager on their behalf, read the Universal Credit consent and disclosure of information.

New My Way In employment-focussed campaign launches

With over 800,000 vacancies in the UK, the My Way In campaign helps connect people looking for work with vacancies in sectors that they may have not previously considered by sharing inspiring and motivational case studies and careers advice.

Visit the My Way In campaign page or follow and support the campaign on social media using #MyWayIn.

Help to Save

Start a new saving habit in 2019 and get a 50% boost.

Help to Save is helping working people on Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits to build up savings.

People can save between £1 and £50 every calendar month in a Help to Save account. After 2 years, savers get a 50% tax-free bonus on the highest balance. If they continue saving they could receive another 50% tax-free bonus after a further 2 years. Over 4 years a maximum saving of £2,400 would result in an overall bonus of £1,200.

New features in the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) app are now available to set savings goals and personal reminders to maximise bonuses.

To check eligibility and apply, savers can visit Help to Save or download the free HMRC app from the:

• app store for iOS
• Google Play store for Android

Workplace pension new year campaign launch

DWP’s workplace pensions campaign, You Work, Your Pension Works, is back for the new year, encouraging people to think positively about the benefits of saving for their future.

The campaign also supports existing and new employers to comply with the law by enrolling eligible employees into a workplace pension.

Look out for the television and digital advertising, and help spread the message by liking, commenting and sharing updates on DWP’s Twitter and Facebook pages using #YourPension.

News round-up

Government agrees deal to protect social security rights of UK and Irish citizens living and working in each other’s state

Departmental contingent liability notification: National Employment Savings Trust (NEST)

Employment Minister welcomes new record employment rate

National mentoring initiative to tackle employment inequality across UK

Minister for Employment gives speech on ‘Full Employment’ report

Changes to benefits for mixed age couples

New chair of BPDTS Ltd appointed

Help for millions of self-employed to save and plan for retirement

Pensions Ombudsman reappointed