Question:
Could the Council please let us know what information and support will be available to the approximately 1200 households currently receiving either legacy benefits (Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support) and/or tax credits during the first stage of the upcoming managed migration to Universal Credit, when people living in the Bracknell Job Centre area receive their Migration Notices from the DWP, and has the Council plans to update its (much improved) website to include information advising people to complete a benefit calculation to ensure they are getting their full entitlement to legacy benefits before moving onto Universal Credit and stressing when residents receive their Managed Migration Notice they need to make a claim for Universal Credit themselves by the 3 month deadline giving in this Notice or their benefits will end?
Minutes:
Question:
Could the Council please let us know what information and support will be available to the approximately 1200 households currently receiving either legacy benefits (Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support) and/or tax credits during the first stage of the upcoming managed migration to Universal Credit, when people living in the Bracknell Job Centre area receive their Migration Notices from the DWP.
And has the Council plans to update its (much improved) website to include information advising people to complete a benefit calculation to ensure they are getting their full entitlement to legacy benefits before moving onto Universal Credit and stressing when residents receive their Managed Migration Notice they need to make a claim for Universal Credit themselves by the 3 month deadline giving in this Notice or their benefits will end?
Answer:
The Department of Work and Pensions have advised that nationally they will now be moving a number of residents from current legacy benefits to Universal Credit by the end of 2024. This will not be for everyone at this stage and the gradual migration is now planned until 2028 and beyond. Initial detail suggests this will affect 40-50 claimants in Wokingham in 2023/24.
Officers meet regularly with Local DWP representatives to ensure an understanding of their approach and the timelines for the migration. Residents contacted are required to provide specific information directly to the DWP to assess their claim – and the Council cannot be involved in that process, but through our liaison with DWP we ensure, where possible, we are provided with details of those affected.
There are a number of methods of support available to claimants, including a dedicated phone line, face to face support in the local jobcentre and independent support through “Help to Claim” (which is delivered by Citizens Advice). There are also arrangements at the DWP for transitional protection to be paid where appropriate. Our officers are aware of these arrangements and will signpost residents appropriately, as well as where needed, holding any collection activity whilst changes are made. We are updating the website with the latest information and will continue to do so as further detail is confirmed.
Supplementary Question:
Can I just say you said, ‘will be moving’ and one of the key things about my question is that people are not being moved by the DWP, they have to apply themselves and that is a really key point. I know managed migration supports the idea that someone is going to manage you to migrate but that is a really key point to the question.
I am wondering leading on from that, could you please clarify the ways Wokingham Borough Council will be offering advice and support to households who not only have to budget monthly on Universal Credit rather than fortnightly on legacy benefit, but they also have to cover a payment gap of 2-3 weeks from the last payments of the legacy benefits until the first payment of Universal Credit?
Supplementary Answer:
Unfortunately, the migration is owned by the Department of Works and Pensions. Our guys are only really working with them to understand who the people are who are affected. We are able to do a certain amount of things in terms of providing a little bit of advice, but it is largely signposting people to Citizens Advice where they can get help, so our officers are aware, and we are of course holding any collection activity whilst changes are made, which is what it says here, which means that our officers will do the best to help them. Unfortunately, the whole process is really driven by the Department of Works and Pensions.