Some groups are worse off on Universal Credit compared to older styler benefits but how can we tip the scale in our favour?
Not all claimants are finding Universal Credit (UC) is living up to its promises. The Resolution Foundation found seven in ten families on UC get less money than they would have under the old welfare system. These families are missing out on an average of £1,400 a year.
For people with disabilities, it’s even worse, losing about £2,800 a year.
Head of policy at the learning disability charity Mencap, Dan Scorer, told the Big Issue: “The government needs to review the adequacy of benefits so that people with a learning disability are no longer faced with these horrendous decisions and are supported to live happy and healthy lives.”
But, some people do get more. Single people moving from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) without extra living costs are £1,400 better off.
The big winners, though, are working families who rent. A single-parent tenant working 30 hours a week on the national living wage gets nearly £3,800 more a year than on the old benefits.
Universal Credit was made to “make work pay,” meaning we continue to receive support even as we access work. But with 2.5 million people unable to work due to ill-health, many are struggling.
A silver lining
There is some help for those getting less on Universal Credit. The DWP offers “top up” payments to people have been ‘migrated’ from the old system and find they’ll receive less on Universal Credit. The payments should match what we received on older our older style benefits.
Parents struggling with the move to UC can also take advantage of grants, discounts, and vouchers. See the list below:
- Pregnancy Grant, one-off £500 payment (Sure Start Maternity)
- Free food, up to £422 over a year, (Healthy Start Scheme)
- Free Childcare, £1,014 for one kid, £1,739 for two or more kids (UC childcare costs)
- Free school meals, £460 per child, (FSM).
(The child’s school receives extra funding too for each child on FSM) - Cost of living vouchers, £105 per child (Household Support Fund)
Turn2Us also offers support through grants.
And there may be some of us who can benefit from getting back to work. Sometimes, we just need the right support to help us transition back to employment.
Even if it’s temporary employment, or just a couple of hours a week, we will most likely make more than without any work. We can use the Quids in! Benefits Calculator to see how much better off we would be in work – just put in different earnings and see what happens.
While the switch to Universal Credit can be tough, it’s designed to help us move towards a better financial future. With the right support and resources, we can navigate these changes and come out ahead. Check out the Quids in! guide to making the transition or ask your landlord or housing benefit office at the local council if they have any copies.
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