AQW 9492/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 22/03/2024
Answered On Date: 09/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities, when corresponding with claimants in relation to their move to Universal Credit, whether they will include information on potential debt they may incur during the five-week wait and a number to call for support.

Answer:

The Move to UC migration notice letter contains information about the support available to help people make the move to Universal Credit, including:

information about the Universal Credit Contingency Fund non-repayable grant which can be applied for during the five week wait;

the Department’s Freephone number 0800 012 1331 if they need support or if they think their Universal Credit will be impacted by certain types of debt;

Available face to face support in their local Jobs and Benefits office;

and

Signposting to Independent Welfare Advice.

Additional information is also available on the nidirect website at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/universal-credit-if-you-receive-migration-notice-letter.