Good afternoon,

As the roll-out of Universal Credit expands geographically (latest from DWP https://www.gov.uk/government/news/universal-credit-roll-out-continues ) more and more of our website www.ucadvice.co.uk clients are experiencing their first taste of the new scheme. Although, as predicted, the number of tenants affected are low, the amount of time they’re spending…

Good morning, One of the most common questions we are asked by staff on our Universal Credit training course or via the website www.ucadvice.co.uk is; how will tenants cope financially if they have to wait 5 weeks for their first payment of benefit? The answer for most tenants will be to…

Good morning, I’m delighted to announce the launch of our revamped website, designed by housing professionals to be used by social and private landlords’ staff to ensure their tenants maximise their entitlement to Universal Credit, minimising, in turn, the opportunity for rent arrears to occur. Our new site includes a…

Good morning,

I’m delighted to announce the launch of our revamped website which now includes a new section designed to explain the key features of the new scheme, including links to various websites, critical information needed to support claims, report changes, ensure payment is made correctly, on time and keeping…

Good morning,

My most recent bulletin (17th April) http://universalcreditadvice.com/housing-associations/2015/04/universal-credit—what-happens-to-the-uc-claim-when-couples-split certainly produced a reaction from income management, welfare rights and financial inclusion staff. Most were surprised, even astounded, by my revelations and the potential adverse impact this could have on rental collection.

I’ve since been inundated with further questions; the…

Good morning,

In an earlier bulletin http://universalcreditadvice.com/housing-associations/2014/08/universal-credit—beware-of-the-whole-month-approach-and-its-threat-to-rent-collection I alerted you to the potential problems, caused by the “whole month rule” when changes in circumstances occur in the tenant’s household which then have a knock-on effect on their Universal Credit entitlement. I’ve been pursuing some real case “what if” scenarios…

Good morning,

Rollout update

After a series of lengthy operational delays and related criticism from the likes of the Work & Pensions Committee, CIH, National Housing Federation, it appears that Universal Credit’s expansion could quite significantly increase from May 2016 due to very positive feedback on the “digital system” currently…

Good morning,

DWP recently notified Housing Associations, in those areas already affected by the national rollout, of a process designed to partially automate, the April 2015 uprating of tenants’ rents. It must be stressed, this ONLY applies to April 2015 and does not affect those tenants who continue…

Good morning, DWP has now confirmed the first 4 tranches of the national rollout. Tranche 1 – February to April 2015 Tranche 2 – May to July 2015 Tranche 3 – August to November 2015 Tranche 4 – December 2015 to April 2016 The latest list (3 & 4) provides…

Good morning,

The DWP has just issued an invitation to all Social Landlords to apply to become one of 20 pilot “Trusted Partners” sites. If you’re interested and assuming you meet the DWPs entry criteria, applications must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon on Friday, 13th November 2015.

To…