AQW 30612/22-27

Ms Sian Mulholland
Alliance Party
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 08/09/2025
Answered On Date: 23/09/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to outline the rationale for the requirement to wait until week three of the five-week wait period before being eligible to apply for the Universal Credit New Claim Grant.

Answer:

Those migrating from a legacy benefit to Universal Credit receive a run on payment of their legacy benefit following the closure of their legacy claim. The payment is made in week two of the five week Universal Credit waiting period, effectively reducing the waiting period to three weeks. There is no requirement to wait until week three before applying for the Universal Credit New Claims Grant. However, applicants are encouraged to do so as a claim made at the end of the two week run on period will ensure that any assistance available is maximised and not reduced or negated by the run on payment.