Response: SSAC universal credit consultation
Summary
Our response focuses on the areas which SSAC has indicated are of particular interest and highlights a number of additional changes which are of concern to us. This is not a comprehensive list but reflects the areas we think should be prioritised for revision.
Key recommendations
- SMI payments to be based on claimant's actual interest rate, subject to a reasonable cap.
- SMI waiting period to be retained at 13 weeks under Universal Credit.
- Telephone and face to face applications to be retained until digital inclusion is fully achieved.
- The Department for Work and Pensions works urgently with the banking sector to ensure adequate financial products are available to support direct payments.
- Households working “mini jobs” should be exempted from the benefit cap.
- Households in temporary accommodation should be exempted from the benefit cap or the cost of TA excluded.
- Existing 13 and 52 week protection rules for households should be retained.
- Households facing an unavoidable delay in moving into a new home or threats of violence or abuse should be entitled to housing cost support for two properties for a limited period.
- Under 25s on JSA or ESA should be exempted from a housing cost contribution.
