'˜Significant change' for local dole claimants

The Jobs and Benefits offices at Asylum Road. DER3014MC103

However, Dr. Denis McMahon, Deputy Secretary of DfC’s Work and Inclusion Group, said a broad range of supports will be made available to local UC recipients.

The new catch-all benefit is being introduced on a phased basis across the North from next Wednesday, September 27 and Limavady becomes the first area to go live.

As such, new claimants from the Limavady area will be the first in Northern Ireland to claim Universal Credit.

People already claiming the existing benefits will not be affected until 2019, unless their entitlement changes.

“The introduction of Universal Credit is another stage of the Department’s work to implement the NI Executive’s decisions on welfare changes,” said Dr. McMahon.

“It is a significant change to the way the benefit system works in Northern Ireland, and our phased approach aims to give the best possible support to claimants as they get used to the new system.”

Explaining how the new system will work, Dr. McMahon said: “Instead of individuals having to fill in multiple forms and manage several claims, they will claim the single benefit of Universal Credit online.

“This will simplify the claims process, with digital support available for those who need it.

“They will be able to claim using a PC, tablet or mobile phone. As it rolls out in areas, local offices will have a Digital Zone with PCs and free Wifi which claimants can use to access their online account, with staff available to provide help and support.”

Universal Credit replaces Jobseeker’s Allowance (income based), Employment Support Allowance (income-related), Income Support, Housing Benefit (rental), Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credits for people aged over 18 and under State Pension age.

Existing claimants will transfer to Universal Credit between July, 2019 and March 2022.

Some claimants will naturally move to Universal Credit earlier, where their circumstances have changed.

As Universal Credit is rolled out claimants can discuss their personal circumstances by calling into their local Job & Benefits Office.

Further information on Universal Credit and full details of the roll out are available on the nidirect website.

This can be accessed at www.nidirect.gov.uk/universalcredit