Concerns That The Most Vulnerable Won’t Cope With Universal Credit Welfare Reform

Published on: 19 Sep, 2015
Updated on: 18 Sep, 2015

Universal Credit, a new type of benefit designed to support people who are on a low income or out of work, will result in a huge change of circumstance for many when it is introduced in Guildford in February 2016.

This was the message heard by delegates at a conference held at St Saviour’s Church, Guildford, on Friday, September 18, and attended by around 100 people from local organisations, most of whom work with people who may be affected by the Government’s welfare reforms.

Guildford Borough Council’s money advisor Mark Beasley speaks at the conference, with fellow speaker on Universal Credit, Maria Zealey from Surrey Welfare Rights Unit, seated.

Universal Credit will replace six existing benefits and is currently being rolled out across the UK. The new system is based on a single monthly payment, transferred directly into a bank account. At present it only affects newly unemployed people in certain areas of the country.

The conference, Enhancing Practice, Understanding Poverty: A Guildford Perspective, was hosted by Guildford Advice Services. 

Among the speakers was Guildford Borough Council’s money advisor, Mark Beasley. Explaining the new system, he said the Government aims to make work pay for people, to simplify the system for benefits claimants, to create a centralised digital system and to help people into work.

Mr Beasley added that for tenants in council homes who claim housing benefit it will be paid to them and not direct to the council. They will then pay their own bills.. Payment will be paid in arrears of one month and seven days.

For some, who may not have a current bank account or who have difficulty in budgeting their finances, it will mean having to learn new skills, such as setting up direct debits, standing orders and so on.

It was also highlighted that the digital-only service means claimants will only be able to fill in forms on line, with paper forms no longer being used. At present, the on-line form filling can only be completed in a single 45-minute session. It will not be possible to ‘save changes made’ and return to it at a later time to complete.

Mr Beasley said Guildford Borough Council is preparing for the changes Universal Credit will bring and will support people by offering advice by phone, on-line, and at one-to-one or group budgeting sessions for tenants. He said that he has already spoken to 2,000 council tenants about it.

Some of the delegates at the conference that was held at St Saviour’s Church.

The conference heard comments from delegates who said they are already worried how the people they work with and help will cope. Points raised included: those claimants without internet access, or only via a mobile phone, unable to get to a library or such place where there is free internet access.

Also speaking on the subject was the unit manager at Surrey Welfare Rights Unit (a specialist Citizens Advice Bureau), Maria Zealey. She is also concerned about the digital-only system being introduced and pointed out that if a claimant’s situation changes they will have to again go on line each time to update their information and may face a £50 penalty for not doing so.

There followed group workshops where delegates discussed the introduction of Universal Credit and the challenges they may face in their organisations in helping their clients. Most agreed that the most vulnerable will be at risk of not being able to cope with the changes.

During the morning of the conference there had been a number of speakers who covered topics including understanding their clients, impacts of change, and signposting of information between each other and to clients. See separate story.

Guildford Borough Council’s head of housing advice Kim Rippett.

The final speaker at the conference was Guildford Borough Council’s head of housing advice Kim Rippett, its joint lead for welfare reform with Steve White. She said: “It is important to make organisations and volunteers aware of the changes being brought about by Universal Credit.

“Don’t panic. It is being rolled out gradually and lessons are being learned from where it is going live.”

She added that the council will have partnerships with the Department of Work and Pensions to give people support and said the council will work with organisation such as Guildford Citizens Advice, Christians Against Poverty, and Catalyst [that works with people suffering distress through the use of drugs or drink or who are suffering mental health problems especially wellbeing problems] to make sure they are equipped to help their clients.

Referring to those likely to be affected by the welfare reforms, she said: “You can tell people about the changes too soon. It is about getting the timing right, but agencies need to be ready.”

What are your views on the Universal Credit welfare reforms and how it will affect those who claim benefits? Please leave a reply in the box below.

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