Benefit boost for thousands moving to Universal Credit

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Benefit boost for thousands moving to Universal Credit

Thousands of benefit claimants moving to Universal Credit are set to receive up to two weeks of additional cash to provide them with extra support.

From Wednesday (July 22), if your existing claim of income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support ends due to you applying for Universal Credit, you will receive a payment worth up to two weeks of your legacy award.

This one-time payment, known as a run-on, is to help people during their first assessment period, and does not have to be paid back.

It will be paid automatically to eligible claimants when they claim Universal Credit for the first time, so they don’t have to contact the Department for Work and Pensions to receive it. It will not affect the amount of Universal Credit received.

Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince said: “This one-off payment will provide additional support as claimants move from legacy benefits to Universal Credit. It doesn’t have to be paid back and won’t affect their UC award, so is welcome extra cash in pockets.”

Run-on payments will include other premiums that claimants have been receiving prior to moving over to Universal Credit, including Enhanced Disability Premium, carer premium or ESA work-related activity component.

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you're on a low income, out of work or you cannot work. It replaces Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Working Tax Credit.

As well as financial help, Universal Credit provides claimants with employment support and referrals to specialist support services including those for improving skills and personal budgeting.

The Government lists independent benefit calculators to help people check to see how much support through Universal Credit they are entitled before moving from legacy benefits. This can be found at:

• www/gov.uk/benefits-calculators

For further information on Universal Credit, go to:

• www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk