DWP Process 2.5 mil Universal Credit Claims

UNIVERSAL CREDIT - Since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been unprecedented levels of demand for Universal Credit says the government. .

From 1 March to 28 April 2020, DWP has received 2.5 million individual declarations to Universal Credit.

Since 16 March 2020, when the coronavirus lockdown came into effect, DWP has seen 2.3 million individual declarations.

Whilst there is still an increase in volumes compared to normal business, these are now beginning to fall.

Advance payments

At the time of publication, the proportions of advance payments cannot yet be calculated say the DWP as this is normally presented as the percentage of claims which reach the first payment stage and this point has not yet passed for the relevant declarations.

The volume of advance payments has seen a large increase which coincides with the increased number of Universal Credit declarations.

From 1 March 2020 and 28 April 2020, 909,000 advance payments were issued. The majority of these, around 752,000, are new claims and benefit transfer advances which are available to those new to Universal Credit although an increase has also been seen in the budgeting and change of circumstances advances available to those already claiming Universal Credit.

Since the coronavirus lockdown (from 16 March 2020), the DWP has paid around 815,000 advance payments with around 691,000 of these for new claim and benefit transfer advances.

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