Universal Credit claimants

14th July 2015

Alternative payment arrangements to help Universal Credit claimants.
Highland Council are working with the DWP to assist those who need additional support.

The Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) Universal Credit is available to single claimants across the Highlands and also to couples and families in Inverness. This benefit replaces a number of benefits, including housing benefit and is paid as a single monthly household payment.

This is a significant change to the way most benefits are currently paid.

The DWP's Alternative Payment Arrangement is available to help claimants who are identified as needing additional support and involves:
• Paying the housing element of Universal Credit direct to the claimant's landlord.
• Making payments on a more frequent basis than monthly.
• Providing a split payment of an award between partners.

The claimant, their representative, their caseworker or their landlord can request an Alternative Payment Arrangement. To safeguard the claimant's home, a landlord can notify Universal Credit of a build-up of rent arrears and request that the housing costs element of Universal Credit be paid directly to them, where a rent arrears ‘trigger' has been reached.

The Highland Council, as the only local authority in the UK, has been piloting a new application process that enables landlords to electronically submit an Alternative Payment Arrangement to support vulnerable tenants.

Alternative payment arrangements to help Universal Credit claimants.
Highland Council are working with the DWP to assist those who need additional support.
Benefits and Welfare Manager Sheila McKandie said: Initial results have shown that the time taken to introduce an alternative Payment Arrangement has greatly reduced and is therefore of benefit to both the landlord and the tenant. The
pilot is continuing and may be rolled-out across the UK.

For further information or advice contact the money advice team on: 01349 886606.

Tell us when things change

If you receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, the amount you receive can be affected by changes in your life. We call these‘changes in circumstances'.

You must tell the Operations Team of these changes immediately. This is so we can be sure we are paying you the correct amount. If you do not tell us about a change you may lose any extra benefit you are entitled to or, if we pay too much benefit, you will have to pay it back. If you tell us about your change in circumstances quickly, we can recalculate your claim and ensure you receive correct payments without delay. This will make it easier to budget and avoid getting into
debt because of overpayments.

You can report a change By telephone on
Freephone 0800 393811

By writing to the Operations Team
PO Box 5650
Inverness, IV3 5YX

Visit your nearest Service Point

Tell us online from July www.highland.gov.uk

This article was produced by Highland Council and appeared in their Highpoints magazine which can be viewed online at -
http://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/13577/highpoints_issue_1_june_2015