Benefit claimants in Peterborough could be in line for extra cash

Hundreds of benefit claimants in Peterborough could receive up to two weeks of extra cash as they move to Universal Credit.

The payments have been approved by the Government to offer more support to people waiting during their first Universal Credit assessment period.

The extra cash will be paid when an individual’s claim for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support ends because they have applied for Universal Credit.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “This is a one-time payment to help people during their first assessment period and does not have to be paid back.

“It will be paid automatically to eligible claimants when they claim Universal Credit for the first time, so they don’t have to contact the Department for Work and Pensions to receive it.

“It will not affect the amount of Universal Credit they receive.”

It is not clear exactly how many people in Peterborough will benefit from the payments.

The numbers will depend on when people move to Universal Credit, when they report a change of circumstances or when the full migration of all claimants to Universal Credit gets under way.

However, DWP figures show that in the Peterborough City Council area there are currently 332 people on JSA, 1,217 on income support and 6,012 on Employment Support Allowance.

The payments scheme starts on Wednesday.

Universal Credit was set up to simplify the benefit system and replaces six previous so-called legacy benefits with a single monthly payment.

But its introduction has faced a number of problems with many people reporting waits of five weeks for their first payment.

Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince said: “This one-off payment will provide additional support as claimants move from legacy benefits to Universal Credit.

“It doesn’t have to be paid back and won’t affect their Universal Credit award, so is welcome extra cash in pockets.”