The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals ……………………………………………………………Policy News Journal
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New universal credit web tool 9 August 2016
Since 2013, universal credit has been rolling out and progressing very slowly by postcode area. Two different systems are also running alongside each other so to assist with the confusion this is causing, a new eligibility universal credit web tool has been created. To complicate matters further, the two different systems running alongside each other and the rules about who can claim universal credit are different under each. As the full (digital) service rolls out, HMRC will no longer accept tax credit claims for people under state pension credit age in those areas. It can be very confusing for both claimants and advisers to understand the position and also how existing claimants will be affected.
As a result, and to help people check whether they are eligible to submit a claim for universal credit in their post code area as well as the status of tax credit and other benefit claims, a universal credit tool has been created.
Simply enter a postcode and the tool will tell you:
whether you are eligible to make a claim for universal credit in that postcode and, if so, the conditions for claiming future universal credit plans for your area whether you can currently claim tax credits and other benefits in your area what universal credit means for existing tax credit claimants links to detailed information about universal credit and moving from tax credits to universal credit details of independent local advice organisations in your area.
Other advice agencies and websites can also make use of the widget which allows the postcode tool to be added to another website .
Universal credit will eventually fully replace working tax credit, child tax credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance and housing benefit.
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Universal Credit and employers 18 August 2016
What are the benefits of Universal Credit for employers?
The Department for Work and Pensions has developed a comprehensive set of FAQs compiled from questions asked by national employers and SMEs at Universal Credit events around the country.
And questions such as, What are the benefits of Universal Credit for employers? are included. The answer being:
Claimants can be flexible about working more hours or ad hoc additional hours because Universal Credit has no restrictions on the number of hours worked. It is designed so that it automatically responds to fluctuations in earnings, and allows claimants to keep receiving Universal Credit, making work pay.
How does Universal Credit work with benefits in kind? An example of another question listed, with the response:
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
Policy News Journal
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