To receive an update from Louise Freeth, Head of Revenues and Benefits.

Louise Freeth, Head of Revenues and Benefits (RBWM) gave a presentation on the Universal Credit Update and support for residents in the borough. Universal Credit had been live in the borough since 2015. There had been significant changes to be adopted in May, which included a roll out of universal credit to all working age customers. Universal Credit had replaced six local authority, DWP and HRMC benefits. The current system was in place as a live service for single individuals since 2015 and had served 380 customers, 100 of those had sought financial assistance with council tax. There were currently 23 restrictions in place for single people claiming assistance. The forum were reminded that from the 23^rd May, universal credit would be available in Maidenhead and it would affect working age customers who would make a new claim or had a relevant change in circumstances. From July 2019- March 2022, there was a planned migration of remaining existing claimants and that the legislation surrounding this was yet to be confirmed.

The forum were informed of the differences between the universal credit live full service and that this would be available to all working age sutomers in relevant postcodes except those with more than two children, claiming one form of tax credit and wishing to claim another or living in specified accommodation ( housing benefit claimants only). Customers had been encourages to manage their online account and report any changes to circumstances via an internet enable device. It was noted that customers would no longer receive any paper notification letters in relation to universal credit. Members of the forum were informed of the process surrounding the universal credit full service and how claimants could apply for a new claim or maintain an existing claim through the online portal. Significant changes included the change of claim processing which would no longer be handled by job centres but by universal credit service centres. Claimants could now upload any relevant document onto their online journal through the online portal.

Customers who had already claimed a legacy benefit, for e.g. housing benefit would move to universal credit following a relevant change in circumstances. There were 382 customers currently in receipt of universal credit in RBWM who would need to transfer to the full service. Members were told that the transfer process would be managed by DWP and that this would start approximately three months after the full service had launched ( currently under review). DWP customers would be advised of the process and when to complete their details, booked an appointment or verify their ID. Universal credit claims would be suspended or terminated if failure to transfer was successful. The roll out of universal credit had been delayed for the Maidenhead job centre from February 2018 to May 2018. As part of the roll out, direct payments to landlords had been introduced in December 2017, a new free universal centre helpline had been launched, from January 2018 there was a pause in new claims and increased advances up to 100% which were repayable over 12 months had been introduced. From February 2018, the 7 day waiting time for claimants had been abolished and from April 2018, additional two weeks support with housing benefits and universal credit could be awarded. The forum were told that temporary accommodation claims had been removed from universal credit and that those customers could claim housing benefit instead.

The Royal Borough would continue to provide, housing benefit for those of pensionable age, housing benefit for working age customers ( in specified/temporary accommodation or with more than two children. Discretionary housing payments were noted as being £261,836 in 2017/18 and £234,892 in 2018/19. The Housing team would continue to provide local welfare provision and interest free loans for sourcing private accommodation. As part of the new services to be provided these included, Personal B0udgeting Support (PBS) and assisted digital services for universal credit customers. PBS would help customers to adapt to a single household payment, the change to payment schedules ( paid monthly) and whereby rent would now be directly paid to landlords. There were two elements to PBS which included money advice and alternative payment arrangements. This would help customers manage their money monthly and pay bills on time whilst prioritising any rent due. The forum were informed that Universal Credit advance payments would provide emergency funds until the first universal credit payment could be made, additional financial support where there had been a change in circumstances, interim payments if the full credit award could not be paid for technical reasons and transfer assistance for legacy benefits. Budget advance would provide interest free advances for one off items, such as furniture, clothing or travel to work and this would be recovered over twelve months. The assisted digital service (ADS) was an initiative to support customers through the culture shift to individual responsibility and self-service.

The forum were informed that of the 382 universal credit customers that this figure was estimated to rise to 1500 and 225 of these customers would need PBS and 135 would need ADS. As part of the mapping existing assistance available for RBWM claimaints, there would be 7 IT help sessions across libraries, careers and job information would be available on Tuesdays, Universal job match assistance would be available in Maidenhead on Thursdays, CAB surgeries would be held in windsor on Thursdays, Grow our own team would be available on Mondays and community learning and skills (CLASS) courses would be available in Maidenhead.

At the conclusion of the verbal presentation, members of the One Borough group discussed the following;

·         Literacy issues or digital difficulties and ways in which this was being addressed.

·         The reduction of services available to residents through the job centre.

·         There would be an article in the RBWM resident newsletter to keep claimants or new claimants informed of the changes.

·         That a national and partnership meeting would be held with the DWP and invites had been sent out to all relevant delegates.

·         That Members could share their details for the purposes of sign posting and referrals.

·         That on the 6^th April 2018, there would be a meeting with DWP in the Town Hall, Maidenhead- Council Chamber to engage landlords with the change to direct payments.