Good Morning, DWP recently announced the Discretionary Housing Payments budget for 2015/16. Surprisingly, this year’s budget has been cut by around 25% from £165M to £125M nationally – through cuts to previous core funding, benefits cap and LHA allocations, although, in the case of LHA a further £45M of targetted funding…

Good afternoon, DWP has now confirmed that tranches 3 & 4 of the national rollout, should complete between September to November 2015 and January to April 2016 respectively. The announcement, including details of areas and associated dates, can be found here It also confirms, traches 1 & 2 have been completed…

As of today, 15th July 2015, a new e-mail facility is available allowing Social Landlords to make Alternative Payment Arrangement (APAs) applications, in respect of Universal Credit. Background DWP introducing the new approach said: “We are committed to making UC work for landlords as well as claimants. As a result…

Good morning, One of our website members has shared with me a copy of a very informative & helpful Universal Credit leaflet they have produced for tenants in preparation for rollout later this year. They also agreed that I can share this information with other members, believing, like me, this…

A few weeks ago, a new e-mail facility was made available, allowing Social Landlords to make Alternative Payment Arrangement (APAs) applications, including requests for payment redirection, in respect of Universal Credit. by e-mail, rather than sending applications and associated back-up evidence, by post, to Wolverhamption. I’m pleased to say, DWP…

Good morning, The House of Commons library has just published a briefing paper to help your understanding of state benefit & tax credit rules, relating to people who come to the UK from abroad. As the paper’s introduction suggests: “The rules on eligibility for benefits for people coming to the…

Good morning, DWP has just published its latest set of statisitics on Universal Credit and have created an interactive map which allows you to key in your post code and establish whether your area is now “live” for claiming or approximately when you’ll be affected. Main Findings 1. 110,890 people…

Good afternoon, Two of my most recent bulletins explain: 1. DWP’s complaints process – http://universalcreditadvice.com/housing-associations/2015/09/universal-credit—complaints-process-explained 2. What to do when things go wrong – http://universalcreditadvice.com/housing-associations/2015/08/universal-credit-apas—what-to-do-when-dwp-get-it-wrong I encouraged you to challenge any Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) request, which is: a) Refused unreasonably or without adequate reasons being given; or b) Payment of the…

Good morning, Following news, last week from DWP, that the rollout was gaining pace (May’s figures, up on the month before by 22%) and much wider geographic coverage, evidence is emerging that the LB of Sutton “digital system” trial is showing signs DWP is actually making some progress, so much…

Good morning, As the roll-out of Universal Credit expands geographically and the “barriers to entry” slowly disolve, more and more of your tenants will become affected and need your assistance to understand the new scheme and make their claim. Not surprisingly, Housing Associations are anxious to secure a better understanding…