Agenda item

UNIVERSAL CREDIT FULL PROGRAMME ROLLOUT IN CARMARTHENSHIRE

Minutes:

The Committee received an overview report on the support being provided by the Council, its partners and stakeholders to Carmarthenshire’s residents following the introduction of Universal Credit on the 12th December 2018 i.e.:-

 

·        Support for Council Tenants;

·        Support for Housing Benefit Claimants;

·        From April 2019 the contract for Assisted Digital Support and personal budgeting will transfer to the Citizens Advice Bureau;

·        Support against Financial exploitation through Trading Standards;

·        Signposting to support through ‘Yr Hwb

·        Support for Veterans.

 

The Committee was advised that, to date, 700 residents within the County had transferred over to Universal Credit, 200 of which were council tenants. Whilst the Government had proposed a mass managed migration over to Universal Credit, that would not now commence until the results were know of a pilot “managed migration” due to start in July 2019, albeit for only 10,000 claimants in English Local Authorities. However, they envisaged the full managed migration programme would still be completed by December 2023.

 

The following questions/observations were raised on the report:-

 

·        In response to a question on the provision of digital support to benefit claimants, the Benefits and Council Tax Manager advised that whilst it had originally been envisaged that would be provided viathe Council’s library service, that would not now be the case from the 1st April, 2019 following the Government’s decision to award the Personal Budgeting and Digital Support Contract to the Citizens Advice Bureau. However, should a member of the public seek Digital Support assistance at one of the Council’s libraries up until the 31st March, 2019 this would be provided in conjunction with the Benefits Section.

·        Reference was made to the award of the Digital Support contract and what impact that may have on the Council’s relationship and links with the Department for Work and Pensions.

 

It was confirmed the DWP had met with the CAB to put in place a plan to provide holistic support to Universal Credit claimants. Whilst the CAB would only provide support up to the first Universal Credit full payment, the Council would continue to provide a range of support for example personal budgeting and Discretionary Housing Payments.

 

The Council also operated a ‘Trusted Landlord Portal’ and as soon as notification was received of one of its tenants transferring to Universal Credit they would be contacted by a housing officer offering advice and support. That would take the form of telephone call and a home visit, if required, where digital support could be provided without the need for referral to the CAB.

·        The report made reference to 160 council tenants being in receipt of Universal Credit, subsequently increasing to 200. Clarification was sought on whether they had encountered any difficulty with the new system.

 

It was reported that in anticipation of the transfer date of the 12th December, 2018 the department had targeted and visited over 1,000 people to ascertain if they had the necessary skills and access to I.T. equipment. Generally, people were coping with the new system with the only major issue arising having been delayed payments with some tenants falling into arrears.  In those cases, the department had endeavoured to provide assistance where possible via housing benefits.

 

It was suggested that whilst the operation of Universal Credit within Carmarthenshire was in its early days, it may be beneficial for the Committee to be provided with an update report thereon at a later date. That could also include extending an invitation to both the DWP and CAB to attend the meeting to gain an insight into their experience of the roll out.

 

·        In response to a question on the provision of assistance with the on-line application forms, it was confirmed that could be provided by housing officers when undertaking home visits. Assistance was also available at the Council’s area hubs and at Job Centres.

·        Reference was made to Food Bank Vouchers and what measures had been put in place to assist people in need following the DWP’s decision to cease their issue. It was noted the department would need to address any impact arising from that decision as part of its evaluation of the introduction of Universal Credit, which could be included within the update report to be provided to a future meeting. The Department had also set aside funding to assist the food banks within the county in anticipation of a potential increased demand for their services.

·        It was confirmed that if the department became aware of any Council tenants falling into difficulty, following their migration to Universal Credit, it would undertake follow up visits and monitoring to provide advice and assistance and act as a link with the DWP and Job centres to discuss those concerns. It also had direct access to the DWP’s two relationship officers

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

5.1

That the report be received.

5.2

That an update report on the rollout of Universal Credit in Carmarthenshire be submitted to the meeting in six months to include an update on food banks

5.3

That an invitation be extended to the Department of Work and Pensions and the Citizen Advice Bureau to attend the meeting when the report in 5.2 was considered.

 

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