AQW 19100/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 19/05/2021
Answered On Date: 02/06/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities what action she is taking to ensure people in receipt of Universal Credit are not faced with repercussion impacts when the £20 Covid uplift is awarded; and what action is being taken to provide that people in receipt of Pension Credit will avail of similar financial support.

Answer:

My Department is not aware of unintended consequences due to the Universal Credit £20 uplift. However, anyone with benefit entitlement that was close to the Benefit Cap level may not receive an increase in payments. This will apply if they are either not eligible for, or were already receiving, a Benefit Cap Welfare Mitigation payment. I intend to bring forward legislation to amend the eligibility criteria for Benefit Cap Welfare Mitigation Payments at the earliest opportunity.