Agenda item

By resident, David McMullan to Councillor Wright, Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing

Could the Council please let us know what information and support will be available to the approximately 2030 households currently receiving either legacy benefits (Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support) and/or tax credits during the first stage of the upcoming managed migration to Universal Credit, when people living in the Bracknell Job Centre area receive their Migration Notices from the DWP and has the Council plans to update its website to include information advising people to complete a benefit calculation to ensure they are getting their full entitlement to legacy benefits before moving onto Universal Credit and stressing when residents receive their Managed Migration Notice they need to make a claim for Universal Credit themselves by the 3-month deadline giving in this Notice or their benefits will end.

Bracknell Forest resident David McMullen asked Councillor Wright, Executive Member for Adult Services, Health & Housing, the following question:

“Could the Council please let us know what information and support will be available to the approximately 2030 households currently receiving either legacy benefits (Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support) and/or tax credits during the first stage of the upcoming managed migration to Universal Credit, when people living in the Bracknell Job Centre area receive their Migration Notices from the DWP and has the Council plans to update its website to include information advising people to complete a benefit calculation to ensure they are getting their full entitlement to legacy benefits before moving onto Universal Credit and stressing when residents receive their Managed Migration Notice they need to make a claim for Universal Credit themselves by the 3-month deadline giving in this Notice or their benefits will end.”

In response, Councillor Wright provided the following published response:

“The move from legacy benefits, such as Housing Benefit, onto Universal Credit, is being led by the Department of Work and Pensions rather than Bracknell Forest.   The DWP will be the lead agency for providing advice and support to residents about the move, but we have been informed that anyone in scope will receive a leaflet to advise about the change in the first instance.  This will then be followed with a migration letter, setting out the timescale that a resident would have to make an application for Universal Credit.

It is very likely that many of those who receive legacy benefits and so are in scope to move over to Universal Credit, may feel anxious about the change, but a high number may also not be known to the Council.  As we do at present, where a customer reaches out for assistance, we refer into the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service for new claims to Universal Credit.  All staff within the Housing Benefit team and wider Welfare Service are aware of the change, and the process that residents will need to follow and will be available to assist with any queries regarding the benefits that we administer.

Our website has been updated and includes information to signpost people to the government information on migration to Universal Credit. 

In many cases, those who are in scope to move, may receive a benefit such as Housing Benefit and may already have been advised to complete an online calculation, as many who are in work, are better off on Universal Credit, than the legacy benefits it replaces.  We will maintain our commitment to provide guidance and support to residents in the borough who reach out for assistance, and to seek to support those in scope to move, during this challenging period.”

In response to the published answer, Mr McMullen asked the following supplementary question:

Can the Council confirm that they have suitably briefed other Councillors given then amount of casework that they do and will be meeting members to explain that although it states ‘migrating’ that this won’t happen automatically, and that residents will need to contact the DWP and request to be moved over or risk losing their legacy terms?

In response, Councillor Wright thanked Mr McMullen for bringing the issue to the Council’s attention and advised that there is an option for residents to request an advance payment to be repaid over 24 months. The Council has a Welfare team who are all trained to give advice to people in financial hardship. All Councillors were reminded that they should direct any residents with concerns about migration to Universal Credit towards the Welfare team for advice.