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Welfare advice
If you are worried about money and think you are entitled to claiming benefits or are experiencing issues with your current claim, you can contact us and we can refer you to a service that can help you.
You can check out the government's website for more information on eligibility.
Universal Credit
You may have seen recently that the welfare system and how it is facilitated is undergoing changes. Universal Credit has now been implemented to replace legacy benefits and provides claimants with a single payment.
All Housing Benefit claimants will be migrating over to Universal Credit. DWP have launched a new guide 'Universal Credit and You' which gives an introduction to UC for people who are claiming it. It covers lots of useful information for both claimants and support staff.
Universal Credit has undergone some changes and as of January 2015 Jobseekers with children (familes) can now make new claims. Only specific groups of jobseekers are able to claim Universal Credit. See the attached information leaflet for further details.
If you are going to be affected by Universal Credit, you can talk to your Housing Officer or local Job Centre Plus for help.
As Universal Credit continues to hit the headlines it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate the fact from fiction on this issue, and to understand the important updates that could impact on claimants.
At Albyn Housing Society, we are committed to helping our customers equip themselves with the important information they need to make informed decisions.
So, here is a handy guide to the most important Universal Credit updates from the last couple of months.
Court challenge
The allocation process for the Universal Credit benefit system has been controversial since the beginning. Recently, the controversy surrounding the system came to a head as a challenge from the High Court played out.
The High Court case was brought about by a group of people who are currently in receipt of Universal Credit and primarily challenged the unfair and confusing payment date system.
Previously, if two payment dates fall within the same calendar month the recipient of UC was paid twice, but this was viewing ‘by the system’ as though they had been given a double payment and were therefore paid a ‘vastly reduced’ Universal Credit payment.
This was challenged and deemed to be ‘unfair’ by the group raising the High Court case, citing the reason for their frustration as being ‘they could not control what dates they were paid on’.
The High Court ruled that the Department of Work and Pensions was not justified in deducting other benefits to make up for the ‘double payment’ and that people receiving Universal Credit should not lose out because of the Department’s handling of payments.
This will no longer affect UC recipient’s payment allocation.
Two child cap
As the system currently stands, families cannot claim additional Universal Credit payments for a third child born after April 6, 2017.
There had been plans for this to be extended to all families with more than two children even if the children had all been born before that date. This has not been progressed and children born before April 6, 2017 are still eligible to be included in a Universal Credit claim.
Managed migration
The Department of Work and Pensions was due to start transitioning people on ‘legacy benefits’ i.e Housing Benefit over to Universal Credit starting in June. This transition period was due to affect approximately three million people.
In light of recent changes in the system, the extent of this managed migration has been scaled back.
The first trial phase of managed migration will include just 10,000 people and will focus on ironing out any potential failings in the process before it is rolled out to the remaining people.
The trial will begin in June this year and last for six months.
Future Developments
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has outlined changes due to take place in the current system.
More detail on these will be available later this year. There is speculation the changes could include:
- Plans to make weekly and fortnightly payments more accessible
- A new online system for paying rent directly to private landlords
- A re-examining of single payments per household
Still have questions?
If you have any questions about how Universal Credit will affect you, contact your Housing Officer in the first instance.
Our staff are up-to-date with all Universal Credit news and more than happy to answer any queries or help in any way they can.
While many people in the Highlands have already transitioned onto the new Universal Credit system, there are a selection of residents yet to make the migration. As of June 2019, the Department of Work and Pensions will be rolling out a ‘Managed Migration’ of people who are currently on legacy benefits, over to the new Universal Credit system.
Here are five tips to get ahead and get prepared for Universal Credit.
Start a budget
Whether you’re a whizz on excel or jot everything down in a notebook, it’s worth investing some time in your budget. It doesn’t have to be an intimidating process, all you need to know is what you have coming into your bank account, and what you have going out, and as long as you have more coming in than going out you’ve successfully budgeted. There are a range of great budgeting apps available to download, or pop into your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau and they can talk you through the simplest ways to budget, allowing you to be fully in control of your finances ahead of Universal Credit.
Get online
The majority of communication for Universal Credit is done online. Applications, journals, help and advice can all be accessed digitally, so make sure you’re confident enough to embark on an online journey alone, or ask your local housing officer to guide you through the process.
You can access the internet free of charge from any of the Albyn Housing Society’s office premises, community libraries, job centres and Citizens Advice Bureaus.
Getting a good current account is invaluable – use online comparison tools to get the best account to suit your needs.
It’s also worth setting up online banking so that you can keep an eye on your daily outgoings and monitor your overall budget in real time. There are always unforeseen expenses but if you’re prepared for these, they shouldn’t make too much of an impact.
Contact your Housing Officer
With the new Universal Credit system, you have the option of paying your rent to your landlord direct, or the Department of Work and Pensions can pay it directly to your landlord on your behalf by debiting the money from your allowance before it is paid to you.
The decision is completely up to the tenant, however for the sake of being completely in control of your finances, it is advisable to ensure you receive your full entitlement and make the payment to your landlord yourself. That way, you can then set up a direct debit or bank transfer to your housing society and stay in control.
By paying rent like this, you can be absolutely sure that it is paid, and just as important, paid on time.
Contact your bank
In the initial roll out stages of Universal Credit, it takes a bit of getting used to the payment dates, so, it’s worth having a chat with your bank. Make them aware that you are transitioning over to the Universal Credit system and you’ll be surprised at how accommodating they can be. By doing so, you can alleviate the stresses of overdraft charges, and late payments.
Put a little away
If you can, put a small amount of money away every week in preparation for the transition to Universal Credit. There is a lag time between an application and first payment where you may receive no money, so it’s wise to have a small pot of emergency money available to get you through a couple of weeks. If this isn’t an option, which for many it won’t be, you can apply for advanced payments through Universal Credit, although the payback period can be strict.
‘Help to Save’ is the UK Government’s newest scheme aimed at helping people receiving Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits to build their savings.
We want to help Albyn Housing Society customers get the most out of the scheme, so here’s a handy guide.
Who can apply?
You can open a ‘Help to Save’ bank account if you’re meet any of the following criteria:
- Are currently receiving Working Tax Credit
- Are entitled to Working Tax Credit and receiving Child Tax Credit
- Are claiming Universal Credit and your household earned £542.88 or more from paid work in our last monthly assessment period
If you receive payments as a couple, you and your partner can apply for your own ‘Help to Save’ accounts. You would need to apply separately.
How does it work?
The bank account allows you to save between £1 and £50 each calendar month, and there is no obligation to pay money in every month.
There are a couple of ways to deposit money. You can pay money into your ‘Help to Save’ account by debit card, standing order or bank transfer.
You can pay in as many times as you like, but the most you can pay in each calendar month is £50. For example, if you have saved £50 by 8 January you will not be able to pay in again until 1 February.
You can only withdraw money from your ‘Help to Save’ account to your bank account.
How bonuses work
You get bonuses at the end of the second and fourth years of saving and the bonus is based on how much you have saved.
After two years, those utilising the account get a 50% tax-free bonus on the highest balance.
If you continue saving you could receive another 50% tax-free bonus after a further two years.
Over four years a maximum saving of £2,400 would result in an overall bonus of £1,200.
After four years, you’ll get a final bonus if you continue to save. This bonus will be 50% of the difference between 2 amounts:
- The highest balance saved in the first 2 years (years 1 and 2)
- The highest balance saved in the last 2 years (years 3 and 4)
What happens after 4 years?
After four years your ‘Help to Save’ account will be closed and you will not be able to reopen it or open another ‘Help to Save’ account. But, the money is yours! You’ll be able to keep the money from your account.
You can close your account at any time but if you close your account early you’ll miss your next bonus and you will not be able to open another one.
If your highest balance does not increase, you will not earn a final bonus.
If you’re interested in finding out more, visit https://www.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income or speak to your local housing officer.
The Scottish Government has rolled out two new benefits to support parents with young children entering early education. Here is everything you need to know.
Background
The two new payments are called Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment.
The new payments are the second and third parts of Social Security Scotland’s ‘Best Start Grant’ package which aims to support parents at three key stages of parenthood.
The first of these stages, the ‘Pregnancy and Baby Payment’, was launched on the 10th of December last year – information on this payment can be also be found on this section of the Albyn website.
Early Learning Payment
What is it?
The Early Learning Payment is a new £250 payment to help with the costs of early learning when a child is between 2 and 3½ years old.
Who is eligible?
The payment is open to anyone with a child of the correct age whether in work or not, as long as they are getting one of these:
- Child Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), not 'contribution based' JSA
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), not 'contribution based' ESA
If you are a parent under the age of 18 you do not need to be receiving any of the above benefits as you will be automatically eligible.
Which parent can apply?
You can apply if you are the birth mother of the child who the payment is for. You can also apply if you're living with the birth mother and the two of you are a couple, married or civil partners.
If you do not live with the child’s birth mother, you can apply as long as you get a benefit for the child that shows you're the main person looking after them. This means you must be getting Child Tax Credit, Child Benefit, the Universal Credit child payments or the child addition part of Pension Credit for the child you want to apply for.
Where can you apply?
Applications can be made online through the Social Security Scotland portal here. If you’d rather do it in person then your local Jobcentre Plus will be able to provide you with a paper copy of the form.
School Age Payment
What is it?
The School Age Payment is a new £250 payment to help with the costs of preparing for school around the time a child might start Primary 1. Social Security Scotland will take applications from Monday 3 June 2019.
Who is eligible?
The payment is open to anyone with a child of the correct age whether in work or not, as long as they are getting one of these:
- Child Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), not 'contribution based' JSA
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), not 'contribution based' ESA
If you are a parent under the age of 18 you do not need to be receiving any of the above benefits as you will be automatically eligible.
Which parent can apply?
You can apply if you are the birth mother of the child who the payment is for. You can also apply if you're living with the birth mother and the two of you are a couple, married or civil partners.
If you do not live with the child’s birth mother, you can apply as long as you get a benefit for the child that shows you're the main person looking after them. This means you must be getting Child Tax Credit, Child Benefit, the Universal Credit child payments or the child addition part of Pension Credit for the child you want to apply for.
Where can you apply?
Applications can be made online through the Social Security Scotland portal here from Monday 3 June 2019. If you’d rather do it in person then your local Jobcentre Plus will be able to provide you with a paper copy of the form.
If you’re interested in finding out more, visit https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant/ or speak to your local housing officer.
Did you know the Scottish Government has rolled out a new benefit to support expectant mothers?
The ‘Pregnancy and Baby Payment’ was launched on the 10th of December last year by the new Scottish Government agency, Social Security Scotland.
The new benefit means you could be eligible for up to £600 in additional support to help with the costs of having a new-born child such as clothes, prams and any other expenses.
You might have heard about it on the radio, or seen it mentioned on social media, but not known whether it is for you or how to apply. That is why we’ve compiled this handy guide to tell you everything you need to know about the Pregnancy and Baby Payment.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible for the payment no matter if you are in work or unemployed. Your income is also not important so long as you receive one of the following:
- Child Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), not 'contribution based' JSA
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), not 'contribution based' ESA
If you are receiving one of the above benefits and are the baby's birth mother, you can apply for support from 24 weeks pregnant up until the baby is 6 months old.
If you're not the birth mother, you can apply if you're living with the birth mother and the two of you are a couple, married or civil partners.
What can you get?
The benefit is a one off cash payment made to the mother or baby’s family. There is no stipulation on how the money is spent.
If you are making a claim for the birth of your first child then you will get a payment of £600.
If the claim you are making is related to a child that is not your first, then you will receive a payment of £300.
For twins, triplets or similar you will receive £300 per child as well as an additional £300 payment to cover the increased cost of multiple births.
How can you claim?
When you apply you’ll need a few pieces of information to hand. These are:
- Your name, date of birth and address
- If you have a partner, their name and date of birth
- Your bank, credit union or building society account details
- Your National Insurance number
- Details of any children you have or care for
Claims can be made online through the Social Security Scotland portal here. If you’d rather apply by phone then don’t worry, you can do that too by calling 0800 182 2222.
Still have questions?
If you still have questions about how to apply for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment or whether you are eligible, than call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 or speak to your Housing Officer who will be happy to help.
‘Help to Save’ is the UK Government’s newest scheme aimed at helping people receiving Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits to build their savings.
We want to help Albyn Housing Society customers get the most out of the scheme, so here’s a handy guide.
Who can apply?
You can open a ‘Help to Save’ bank account if you’re meet any of the following criteria:
- Are currently receiving Working Tax Credit
- Are entitled to Working Tax Credit and receiving Child Tax Credit
- Are claiming Universal Credit and your household earned £542.88 or more from paid work in our last monthly assessment period
If you receive payments as a couple, you and your partner can apply for your own ‘Help to Save’ accounts. You would need to apply separately.
How does it work?
The bank account allows you to save between £1 and £50 each calendar month, and there is no obligation to pay money in every month.
There are a couple of ways to deposit money. You can pay money into your ‘Help to Save’ account by debit card, standing order or bank transfer.
You can pay in as many times as you like, but the most you can pay in each calendar month is £50. For example, if you have saved £50 by 8 January you will not be able to pay in again until 1 February.
You can only withdraw money from your ‘Help to Save’ account to your bank account.
How bonuses work
You get bonuses at the end of the second and fourth years of saving and the bonus is based on how much you have saved.
After two years, those utilising the account get a 50% tax-free bonus on the highest balance.
If you continue saving you could receive another 50% tax-free bonus after a further two years.
Over four years a maximum saving of £2,400 would result in an overall bonus of £1,200.
After four years, you’ll get a final bonus if you continue to save. This bonus will be 50% of the difference between 2 amounts:
- The highest balance saved in the first 2 years (years 1 and 2)
- The highest balance saved in the last 2 years (years 3 and 4)
What happens after 4 years?
After four years your ‘Help to Save’ account will be closed and you will not be able to reopen it or open another ‘Help to Save’ account. But, the money is yours! You’ll be able to keep the money from your account.
You can close your account at any time but if you close your account early you’ll miss your next bonus and you will not be able to open another one.
If your highest balance does not increase, you will not earn a final bonus.
If you’re interested in finding out more, visit https://www.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income or speak to your local housing officer.
From the 15th of May 2019 there is going to be a change to Pension Credit that will impact mixed aged couples wishing to apply.
Currently and until the 14th of May 2019 couples where one individual is above and the other individual is below the qualifying age for Pension Credit are able to make an application for Pension Credit. After 14 May couples in these circumstances will not be eligible to apply for pension credit; instead they will have to apply for Universal Credit.
Mixed age couples who are in receipt of Pension Credit on 14 May will continue to receive Pension credit after that date so long as there is no break in their entitlement.
More information can be found on this government factsheet:
Source: SFHA
From April 2013, the UK Government limited Housing Benefit and the housing element of Universal Credit for working-age council or housing association tenants if they are considered to be under-occupying their homes. This is widely known as the 'bedroom tax'. It means the amount of rent tenants can claim Housing Benefit for is reduced by:
- 14% for one additional bedroom
- 25% for two or more additional bedrooms
If you are affected by the bedroom tax you can apply for the bedroom tax deduction to be paid by the Discretionary Housing Fund which is facilitated by the Highland Council
You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax if you are on a low income. The Highland Council can provide further information.