- SFHA calls again for Universal Credit pause
- Universal Credit Housing Costs Element reinstated for claimants aged 18 to 21 years old
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Posted 16.04.18
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA): Article link
Ahead of Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Esther McVey MP appearing before the Scottish Parliament's Social Security Committee, the SFHA has once again called for the pause of Universal Credit to allow time for vital system improvements to be made.
The SFHA is repeating the call for a pause following the announcement that system changes to allow the 'bedroom tax' to be abolished at source in Scotland will be delayed by over a year until at least May 2020.
Under the Scotland Act 2016, the ability to vary the housing element of Universal Credit was devolved to the Scottish Parliament, with the Scottish Government committing to use these powers to fully abolish the 'bedroom tax' at source.
Negotiations had been taking place with the DWP, with the hope that systems would be in place by April 2019 - ahead of the managed migration of all claimants still receiving the old legacy benefits to Universal Credit, currently planned to start in July 2019.
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Posted 06.04.18
Anthony Collins Solicitors: Article link
The Government has announced it will amend The Universal Credit (Housing Costs Element for claimants aged 18 to 21) (Amendment) Regulations 2017, which came into force on 1 April 2017.
The Regulations were introduced to restrict the housing costs element of Universal Credit for new claimants aged between 18 and 21 years old. Unless an exemption applied then, an 18 to 21-year-old Universal Credit claimant would be unable to claim assistance with their rent.
This short briefing from Anthony Collins Solicitors provides a useful update.
