{"id":89012,"date":"2018-02-14T11:05:58","date_gmt":"2018-02-14T11:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=b082bf982f513ea94a4ed83bbce9c9e9"},"modified":"2018-02-14T11:05:58","modified_gmt":"2018-02-14T11:05:58","slug":"press-release-first-universal-credit-payment-paid-quicker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=89012","title":{"rendered":"Press release: First Universal Credit payment paid quicker"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Everyone is now entitled to Universal Credit from the first day they claim, removing 7 days some had to wait.<\/p>\n

This change was announced as part of a wider \u00a31.5 billion package of improvements to Universal Credit in the Autumn Budget 2017<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Work and Pensions Secretary of State Esther McVey said:<\/p>\n

\n

It can be a worrying time looking for work and our priorities are to help people find employment quickly and to improve lives. Our package of support affords better help for people as soon as they make a claim to Universal Credit.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We will be removing the 7 waiting days, which means no one has to wait 6 weeks for their first Universal Credit payment and this will benefit the average household by around \u00a3160.<\/p>\n

Advance payments<\/h2>\n

The comprehensive package also includes an increase in advance payments to 100% of the expected Universal Credit payment. This means anyone who needs help before their first Universal Credit payment can receive up to their full expected Universal Credit within 5 days, or on the same day if in urgent need. The repayment period has also been extended to a year<\/p>\n

Housing Benefit<\/h2>\n

From April 2018, anyone in receipt of Housing Benefit who moves onto Universal Credit will continue to have their rent paid for 2 weeks during the wait for their first payment, and that payment is non recoverable.<\/p>\n

Personalised support<\/h2>\n

Under Universal Credit<\/a>, people get more personalised support that meets their individual needs and we are seeing jobseekers moving into work faster and staying in work longer than compared to the old system.<\/p>\n

Contact Press Office<\/h2>\n
\n
\n

Press Office<\/h3>\n
\n

\nCaxton House
\n
\nTothill Street<\/span>
\nLondon<\/span>
\nSW1H 9NA<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n

\n London Press Office (national media and London area enquiries only \u2013 not questions about personal claims)<\/span>
\n 020 3267 5144\n <\/p>\n

\n Out-of-hours (journalists only)<\/span>
\n 076 59 108 883\n <\/p>\n

\n England and Wales (local media enquiries)<\/span>
\n 029 20 586 then 097 or 098 or 099\n <\/p>\n

\n Scotland (local media enquiries)<\/span>
\n 0131 310 1122\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Follow DWP<\/abbr> on:<\/p>\n