AQW 3269/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 06/03/2020
Answered On Date: 10/07/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to discuss the gap in support for people moved from legacy benefits onto Universal Credit, given the welcomed ‘run on’ for people on Universal Credit who reach State Pension Age, as announced 5 March 2020.

Answer:

I have not yet had an opportunity for discussion. Since April 2018 all those in receipt of Housing Benefit whose Housing Benefit award was ended because of a new claim to Universal Credit have been awarded a two-week Transition to Universal Credit Housing Payment.

This transitional protection will be extended from July 2020 when people will receive an additional two weeks of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and income-related Employment and Support Allowance if they receive one of these benefits when moving to Universal Credit.