Calico Homes has pledged its support to help thousands of its tenants move onto Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for people of a working age, which replaces the following benefits with a single monthly payment:
• Housing Benefit
• JSA – Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• ESA – Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit.
Burnley recently became a Universal Credit Full Service town, and any new benefit claims, or changes of circumstances to benefits, will now need to be submitted through the Universal Credit Full Service system.
If people fail to do this, or make any significant errors during their application, they are at risk of losing all of their benefits, severely affecting their household income.
Kelly Jackson, Calico’s Income Services Manage, said:
“It’s really important that people get this right. We’re spending a lot of time and effort to help people understand and navigate the change from the existing benefit system to Universal Credit which, for many people, will involve a lot more money management and effort to stay on top of some of the bills.
“We’re working hard with the Department for Work and Pensions to support customers making a claim for Universal Credit.
“Many people may not know, for example, that you will need an email address to complete the claim. We’re here to help make sure tenants know exactly what to do when applying for Universal Credit, and to help guide them through the process.”
To help ensure that tenants do not have any major issues when applying for Universal Credit, Calico Homes is providing a range of support to help them through the process in any way they can.
Calico Homes recently sent an informative leaflet to all tenants with everything they need to know about Universal Credit, detailed instructions on how to make a claim, and what support is available.
Staff from Calico Homes are also available to provide any help that people may need.
Computers are available at their head office on Centenary Court, Croft Street, Burnley, for people to make their claim, and staff will be able to help them through the process.
A wealth of information and support around Universal Credit is also available on Calico’s website – calico.org.uk/uc
For more information about Universal Credit, or to get essential support, visit calico.org.uk/uc or call 01282 686300.