AQW 8326/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 07/10/2020
Answered On Date: 02/11/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities when employees notified that they are being made redundant at the end of the furlough period should make an application for Universal Credit.

Answer:

My Department is committed to supporting people at this difficult time and my priority has been to ensure that the social security system remains flexible, to relieve hardship and to ensure those people most in need get the help and support they require. This remains the case for those who will be impacted by the end of the furlough scheme.

As Universal Credit is for people on a low income or no income and, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria, a person currently on furlough can apply for Universal Credit. Details on making a claim for Universal Credit including the eligibility criteria can be found at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/you-claim-universal-credit.

However, for anyone receiving Tax Credits I would advise that they should refer to https://www.gov.uk/tax-credits-calculator if they are considering making a claim to Universal Credit.

Prior to making a claim a person can also check the ‘entitled to’ benefit calculator to get an estimate of how much they may be entitled to. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/benefits-adviser