UNIVERSAL CREDIT ( UC ) : Rollout Schedule * Mines * Sanctions * Changes * Delays * Reports From Infected Manors

[bowlingbun]

Experienced staff, like my best friend, predicted this would happen years ago. When there was relatively full employment, experienced staff were made redundant as they had the highest salaries, replaced by staff and a computer and 6 weeks training, using an American computer system that was out of date before it was introduced, and couldn't be programmed to include every possible option from the DWP system. Local offices closed, replaced by a computer. I'm near Southampton, Computer in Chippenham or Cheltenham!

[Bill_2001]

Universal credit during coronavirus : now is an opportunity to fix it.

As many in the UK turn to the benefit, a new study of Northern Ireland claimants shows how it could be better implemented.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... -claimants

Makes very interesting reading.

[Bill_2001]

Coronavirus : Fears of universal credit delays and mistakes as ‘deeply flawed’ system faces 1.4 million new claims.

‘There’s going to be a massive exercise cleaning up all the errors’ from new crisis staffers, says DWP source.

Frank Field, former chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, who undertook a number of investigations into universal credit while in the role, told The Independent: “I think it’s inconceivable that most [claimants] will get their money on time and that it will be right. There are bound to be many who don’t get it within five weeks, particularly as you’ve got people doing the processing who I doubt have had the proper training.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/h ... 59226.html

No real surprise there then ???

[Bill_2001]

Coronavirus : Universal credit bill could rise by £9.6bn as claims surge from people hit by outbreak.

Some people may be ‘confused’ by their entitlement and could receive less money than they expect, top DWP official says.

Neil Couling, the director general of universal credit at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), said the benefits bill would rise by “billions” in the coming months as the impact of the coronavirus lockdown hits the economy.

In a briefing to journalists, he warned that some people may be “confused” by their entitlement and could receive less money than they expect when the first tranche of new claims are paid from 22 April.

Mr Couling also said it would be “just impossible” to cut the five-week wait for payments for first-time claimants and tinkering with the system at this stage could cause problems.

Some 1.4 million applications have been made for universal credit – which rolls several working-age benefits into a single payment – since 16 March, after 18 per cent of the workforce saw their hours cut or were made redundant due to the outbreak.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... 65936.html

[Melly1]

Universal Credit: Third party deductions explained as the DWP ‘pauses’ rules due to demand

However, in a recent announcement the DWP confirmed that it will be “pausing” third party deductions until May 10

Deductions can only be made for the following examples:
rent arrears and other housing costs like service charges - the deduction can be between 10 percent and 20 percent for rent arrears
gas, electric or water arrears
council tax bills arrears
child support maintenance
some loans
some fines

https://www.express.co.uk/finance/perso ... nded-rules

[Rosemary_1706]

BB: American government computer systems are renowned in the US for being inefficient, slow, faulty and ridiculously expensive !