Universal Credit Pilot

West Lindsey District CouncilAlan Robinson

Nicoya Palastanga

What is Universal Credit?

• Universal Credit will simplify the benefits system by bringing together a range of working-age benefits into a single streamlined payment.

It aims to:

• simplify the system, making it easier for people to understand, and easier and cheaper for staff to administer

• improve work incentives

• smooth the transitions into and out of work

• reduce in-work poverty

• cut back on fraud and error.

• The first applications to Universal Credit will be made in October 2013. We expect all working age claimants to have moved onto Universal Credit by October 2017.

•Personal Independence Payment

•Universal Credit

• Child Benefit, Carer’s Allowance (will remain)

• Income related JSA• Income related ESA• Income Support (including SMI)• Working Tax Credits• Child Tax Credits• Housing Benefit

• Disability Living Allowance

• Contributory JSA and ESA (conditionality rules changing)

• Council Tax Benefit (Localised Council Tax Schemes)

• Pension Credit•… to include support for housing

and children

2013 focus pilots - Twelve pilots will run from autumn 2012 to September 2013 to explore how local expertise can support residents to

claim Universal Credit.

2013 focus pilots will look at:- encouraging claimants to access online

support independently; - improving financial independence and

managing money;- delivering efficiencies and reducing fraud &

error; and- reducing homelessness.

Post 2015 focus pilots – on the longer term role for local authorities in supporting Universal

Credit claimants.

Local Authority-led Pilots

Key: LA-led pilots

Pathfinder preparation projects

Direct Payment Demonstration Projects

North Dorset

Rushcliffe

Melton

Bath & NES

Oxford

Caerphilly Newport

Birmingham

West Dunbarton North Lanarkshire

OldhamWigan

Dumfries &Galloway

Edinburgh

Wakefield

Shropshire

SouthwarkTorfaen

West Lindsey

Lewisham

Migration - key dates

APRIL 2013 Pathfinder begins

National introduction of Universal Credit – groups of new unemployed able to claim, gradual phasing out of claims for existing

benefits

Expansion - new claims from people in work and moving current claimants to Universal

Credit in phased approach

Universal Credit roll-out complete

OCTOBER 2013

SPRING 2014

2017

WLDC Pilot

• October 2012 to September 2013

• Face to Face Delivery

• Local delivery

• Holistic approach

• Digital engagement/journey

• Reduce fraud and error

Online Claims

• Digital by default

• Housing Benefit/Job Seekers Allowance

• Access to IT

• Public Access in council offices

• Working with partner organisations

• Public Access across the district

Support for Customers

• Financial Literacy

- budgeting skills

- suitable bank accounts

• Introduction to IT

• Literacy and Numeracy

What will be different?

• Co-location of services≈ WLDC, JCP, LCC, VCS≈ Additional support from CAB, Credit Union,

training providers, NCS

The Role of Local Authorities

• Localism

• Community Champions

• Reducing Fraud

• Partnership Working

• Experience – housing, skills agenda, council tax support

Now over to you for any questions