Government Considering New Rules for Universal Credit

Government officials are considering altering universal credit to allow ‘trusted’ social landlords to receive vulnerable tenants’ benefit direct before they fall into arrears. The DWP, NHF and around 20 social landlords are discussing a scheme to allow some housing associations and councils to apply for benefit to be paid directly to them at an earlier stage. Claimants can also move on to ‘alternative payment arrangements’ if their universal credit advisor judges that they have additional support needs, such as a history of drug abuse or homelessness. Under the proposed scheme, ‘trusted’ social landlords will be able to apply directly to the DWP for APAs for individual tenants they believe are likely to struggle with universal credit before they fall into arrears. Read more on Inside Housing.