20 March 2023 , 14:33
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An extra £22million is being invested into a free scheme designed to support people making a Universal Credit claim.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it is extending the “Help to Claim” scheme.
The benefits support will continue to be delivered independently for another year by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland.
“Help to Claim” helps people make a new Universal Credit claim, as well as manage their claim until their first payment.
The help can be accessed online, by telephone or through your local Jobcentre.
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The DWP says over three quarters of a million people have received support though “Help to Claim” since it started in 2019.
Guy Opperman MP, Minister for Employment, said: “Help to Claim continues to assist thousands of people every year with over 800,000 people already receiving support since its introduction.
“This additional investment will allow Citizens Advice to continue to provide this vital support following its extension for a further year.
“This high quality and independent support comes in addition to the support already provided through our network of jobcentres, with our staff standing ready to assist those in need of support.”
Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: "As the cost of living continues to put household finances under pressure, our top priority is supporting the many people coming to us for help.
“We’re glad to continue this important support. We’ve seen first-hand the difference our advisers make in helping people access Universal Credit.
“We’ll continue to use our frontline insights and unique data to suggest enhancements to the benefits system, further helping the people we support.”
Universal Credit is slowly replacing the following six benefits:
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Housing Benefit
When it is your turn to be moved across to Universal Credit, you'll receive a "migration notice" in the post. This will give you a three-month deadline to claim UC.
If you don't start a claim for Universal Credit within this time, your current benefits will automatically stop.
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You can choose to move over earlier, if you think you will be better off - but you need to do your research first, as you can't move back to legacy benefits.