Agenda item

The report of the Benefits Operational Manager

Mrs S O’Hanlon presented the report to Members. She highlighted to Members that information was constantly changing and therefore the report was not up to date. She confirmed that the Partnership had been advised that North West Leicestershire would ‘go live’ in 2018. She reminded Members that Universal Credit would replace 6 benefits including Housing Benefit and informed Members that any claimant that was in receipt of one of the six benefits would be asked to migrate to the full service by July 2019. However, how this would work would was not decided yet and, should anyone be consulted by the DWP, the Partnership would like to be able to add to the response. She explained that full service would require claimants to manage their benefits digitally. However, there was a note of caution that the platform is digital by default She highlighted a key point that it was not the local authority that would go live but the Job Centre, adding that, due to the geographical area, one postcode in Harborough had gone live and it was expected that three postcodes in the Long Eaton area would go live in May 2017.

Mrs S O’Hanlon stated that many issues were being flagged up and as such the Partnership would have a key contact and detailed notes would be kept of the problems raised, as it was becoming apparent that sites that were live with full service were experiencing issues. She informed Members that the main issue that claimants could experience, which in turn would have a knock on effect for Councils, was the delay in payments due to the time that was taken to process the applications, resulting in tenants not being able to pay their rent on time. Members were advised that claimants could apply for advanced payments, which would then be recovered from the awards over a six month period.

Following questions from Mr S Atkinson and Councillor M Surtees, Mrs S O’Hanlon confirmed that the rollout could lead to rent arrears issues and that the interim payment would have to be paid back.

Members were advised that all claimants of Universal Credit would need access to an email account and that officers were looking at working closely with other partners to help customers improve IT skills. The issues over rent arrears  weres to be flagged to housing teams,  as they are expected to verify rental income.

Councillor M Hall stated that the authorities had to run with the programme and could only do what they could. He highlighted that it was good that not all the partnership authorities were migrating at the same time and that, with the correct training and signposting, staff should be able to assist customers. He asked if officers were able to identify those that maybe affected by the process and notify them.

Councillor T J Pendleton sought clarification on the number of claimants that would be affected in the DE postcodes, so that the local Ward Members could be informed of the changes to ensure correct signposting.

Ms B Jolly advised that Harborough were in the process of pulling together all the postcodes with support from the surrounding authorities to ensure that residents could be sent to the right Job Centres.

Councillor P King expressed concerns over the issues that could arise from the migration and he felt that all Members and officers concerned needed briefing, along with good communications to all residents. He also highlighted that there would be a backlash from residents, who were unable to access the internet and those who would encounter financial issues, as they had to wait for payments. He asked if the DWP were ready for the process and that political groups should make representations to their MPs, as there could be many people without money before Christmas.

Mr S Atkinson advised Members that, if they had concerns or issues, then they could be registered informally first with the partnership, who would feedback to the Management Board and then escalate if needed.

Councillor M Hall questioned whether a change of circumstance  error, taken by the wrong organisation would help or hinder subsidy paymentsa resident’s claim. In response Mrs S O’Hanlon stated that it would depend on the classification if any error was made, and if it was DWP or LA error.

RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report be noted.