1. Darren Bird, DWP 9 November 2011
Universal Credit
Darren Bird, DWP
9 November 2011
UNCLASSIFIED

2. Universal Credit: Scope
Universal Credit means the following benefits will no longer be needed…
Income related Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support (including SMI)
Child Tax Credits
Working Tax Credits
Housing Benefit
Social Fund (budgeting loan elements)
But the following benefits will still be available…
Disability Living Allowance (will be replaced by PIP in 2013)
Contributory Benefits (although earnings rules aligned)
Child Benefit
Pension Credit (that will include a Housing Credit to support those who rent, the intention is it will broadly replicate Housing Benefit rules & a new additional amount for children in the Guarantee Credit)
Carers Allowance
Council Tax Benefit replacement

3. Universal Credit: Conditionality framework
The Welfare Reform Bill sets out:
four types of work-related requirement
four conditionality groups
No “partners” - each adult in a household will be placed into a group according to their individual capability and circumstances.
Recorded in a claimant commitment
No work-related requirements
Work-focused interviews
Work preparation
All work-related requirements

4. When will we deliver Universal Credit?
Feb ‘11
Apr ‘13
Oct ‘13
Apr ‘14
Oct ‘14
Oct ‘15
Oct ‘16
Oct ‘17
Design & build
Test
New claims from out of work customers
New claims from in work customers
“Natural” migrations as a result of changes of circumstances
Managed migrations
2.5m
4.5m 6m 8m
Legacy load
JSA, ESA, IS, HB, WTC, CTC
UC load 4

5. Payment approach Single payment for whole household Monthly payment
All to claimant (rather than direct to landlord)
A significant change for some claimants
Support
What support will claimants need to manage this change?
Who should deliver the support?
Which claimants will need support?
Exceptions
In what circumstances should we make an exception to the payment approach?