In May 2016 the full Universal Credit service for all claimant types began to rollout nationally and later it was announced that it was to be completed by September 2018. 

In July 2017 the schedule was updated due to changes being made at DWP.  After the rollout process has completed, DWP will then begin moving all remaining existing benefit claimants to the full Universal Credit service.

For the Lincolnshire local authorities, the revised rollout schedule is as follows:

Date                            Local authority                      Job Centre area

October 2017              South Kesteven                     Grantham JCP and Stamford JCP

March 2018                 City of Lincoln                        Lincoln JCP

March 2018                 East Lindsey                           Skegness JCP

April 2018                    South Holland                        Spalding JCP

May 2018                    Boston                                    Boston JCP

May 2018                    East Lindsey                           Louth JCP

May 2018                    West Lindsey                         Gainsborough JCP

July 2018                    North Kesteven                       Sleaford JCP

For those areas where Universal Credit has already been fully rolled out the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced a new helpline for landlords whose Universal Credit tenants will not communicate with them.

The new number 0345 600 4272 can be used by landlords who are unable to obtain the tenant’s co-operation to get DWP to supply information when it comes to enquiries about major payments –  such as a direct payment to the landlord.

This is a significant change as, before now, landlords were totally dependent on the goodwill of the tenant when it came to accessing information. For landlords in the Lincolnshire area the number will be accessible only where Universal Credit has already been fully rolled out.

The official Universal Credit guidance says the landlord should:

·         In the first instance engage with their tenant about the issue.  The tenant has access to their own information via their online account and can share it with their landlord

·         If more assistance is required the claimant can ask to share their personal information with their landlord or other representative via their online journal, face to face or by calling the service centre and giving explicit consent

When contacting Universal Credit the claimant’s representative will be asked to confirm their identity so the case manager can speak to the landlord direct.

For further guidance for landlords, see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2/universal-credit-and-rented-housing-guide-for-landlords

No Comments