Lincoln Against Poverty Universal Credit: The Future in Lincoln Martin Walmsley Head of Shared Revenues and Benefits City of Lincoln Council and North Kesteven District Council

Universal Credit (UC) – what is it?  ‘6 benefits into 1’:  Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits, Housing Benefit (HB)  Applications online  Paid monthly in arrears  Paid to claimant (not landlord)  Claimant commitment Lincoln Against Poverty

National UC rollout April 2013: Universal Credit introduced in parts of Greater Manchester and Cheshire. April 2014: DWP announced the expansion of Universal Credit to the rest of the north west of England. This expansion began in June June 2014: Universal Credit started to become available for new claims from couples in live site areas across England, Wales and Scotland. Autumn 2014: Extension of Universal Credit to families. Lincoln Against Poverty

Accelerated national rollout of UC Accelerated rollout announced to single persons in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) – all areas to have UC in 2015/16, starting from February 2015 Tranche 1 areas – contains two Lincolnshire districts, Boston and South Kesteven Tranche 2 areas – contains two Lincolnshire local authorities, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire Further 2 x tranches expected in 2015/16 Migration of legacy benefits Once a customers is in receipt of UC, they stay on UC even if they move into another district… Lincoln Against Poverty

Lincolnshire – ‘Ink spot’ UC rollout Lincoln Against Poverty

Potential impacts on City of Lincoln Total HB caseload 9,150 of which: Working age claims 7,180 Single JSA 1,036 Lincoln Against Poverty

Universal Support Delivered Locally (USDL) formerly known as Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework – UC LSSF) ‘One Claimant Journey’ Financial Inclusion Digital Inclusion Employment ‘Other’ e.g. Partnership working, Housing advice, Identifying vulnerable customers re direct payment Lincoln Against Poverty

USDL Trial ‘West Lincolnshire’ trial, running September 2014-August 2015, focuses on 4 main areas of Universal Support: Partnership Working Digital Inclusion Financial Inclusion Triage Expectation that 2,000 claimants will be supported under the trial. Trial will be closely evaluated locally and nationally to help inform subsequent roll-out. Also – –Direct Payment trial, –Support for ex-offenders Lincoln Against Poverty

Partnerships Lincoln Against Poverty

Triage Upon arrival at a partner organisation (such as Jobcentre Plus) the claimant will be identified as potential universal credit claimants. The triage form will help identify areas in which the claimant may need further support or training. Computer Access Form Filling Training Employment Advice Volunteering Saving/Budgeting Income Maximisation Lincoln Against Poverty

Digital Inclusion If a client does not have access to a computer and/or internet, or requires support doing so, you can use the Lincs2Advice website to locate Computer Access Locations Abbey Children's Centre Lincoln Baptist Church Croft Street Lincoln Free WiFi & Computer Use Must be a parent Opening Times Friday: Thursday: Wednesday: Monday: Tuesday: Lincoln Against Poverty

Financial Inclusion Direct Payment of Housing Benefit Financial Education Support to identify and open suitable bank account Lincoln Against Poverty

Next Steps Accelerated UC national rollout 2015/16 Preparation for UC customers/ support Continuation of USDL trial Local Universal Support Partnership (LUSP), links into USDL trial / Reports into USDL Steering Group Ongoing communications –Communications Plan, around various ‘themes’ Want to be involved? – please contact Lincoln Against Poverty

Useful links Universal Credit Pathfinder Evaluation Policy Paper – Universal Credit at Work Universal Credit for Local Authorities Gov.UK USDL – Universal Support Delivered Locally information-for-local-authorities/universal-support-delivered-locally-information-for- local-authorities As Universal Credit starts to rollout in Lincoln, keep an eye on: Discretionary Housing Payments Lincoln Against Poverty