Universal Credit goes live in town

MONDAY, July 29 will see a small number of Warrington residents become the first in the borough able to claim the government’s new Universal Credit.
Only those who become unemployed after this date and who have no dependents will be affected at first.
Warrington is the third of four local authorities where Universal Credit is being rolled out early, but only a limited number of people will be affected this money as the wider roll out will start in October.
Most claims will be made online, but face-to-face and phone
support will be available from Jobcentre Plus and Warrington Borough Council.
Universal Credit payments will generally be made through one single monthly payment to each household and claimants will be responsible for paying all their household bills including their rent.
Cllr Terry O’Neill (pictured), leader of the borough council, said: “Being a pathfinder authority for this national government initiative allows us to see what is working and what isn’t.
“The council and its partners have been working closely together over the last year to provide information on the changes to welfare benefits and to offer support to residents with budgeting and money advice. We will continue to provide this support to help people through the changes, and will be launching a campaign in the autumn to support more of our residents to get online so that they can claim easily.”
Computers can be used free in many places in Warrington – including all libraries.
Details of where they are available and more information on the benefit chances can be found at www.warrington.gov.uk/welfarerefor.
Universal Credit is a new benefit that will replace six existing benefits with a single monthly payment that will support people in and out of work.
It will eventually replace Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.