Universal Credit Help Scheme Trialled

A scheme to help universal credit claimants pay their rent on time by making it easier to access money advice services is being trialled by the government. The DWP is piloting a new programme in four job centres, in which universal credit claimants undergoing an assessment about their ability to work are directed towards money advice if they are struggling with payments such as housing costs. The move is a response to low take-up of local financial advice services, which are provided by councils or Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB). These are currently signposted by a universal credit call centre if claimants are having difficulty managing their money. Under the pilot, the claimant has an interview of up to an hour long with a ‘work coach’ at their local job centre, who has the power to arrange a meeting between the claimant and their council or local CAB. Read more on Inside Housing.