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<p>The amount of Universal Credit paid to claimants reflects, as closely as possible,
the actual circumstances of a household during each monthly assessment period.</p><p>
</p><p>Monthly assessment periods align to the way the majority of employees are paid
and how utility companies and other service providers collect payments. It also allows
Universal Credit to be adjusted each month, this means that if a claimant’s income
falls, they will not have to wait several months for a rise in their Universal Credit.</p><p>
</p><p>We have recently reviewed and updated guidance to help ensure claimants, staff
and representatives are aware of the importance of employers reporting accurate dates
and the impact on payment cycles.</p><p> </p><p>We know that some people find managing
their money challenging and Alternative Payment Arrangements (APA) can be provided
to help them manage that change. These include: managed payment of the Universal Credit
housing cost to landlords; making payments more frequently; and splitting the payment
between partners within the household.</p><p> </p><p>APAs can be requested by a claimant
at any point during their claim and are considered on a case by case basis and assessed
by Universal Credit staff. Staff work closely with claimants and are trained to gauge
a claimant’s financial needs at their initial interview, and throughout their claim,
based on their personal circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>We continuously review Universal
Credit using feedback from claimants and stakeholders. We are currently trialling
new ways of working around more frequent payments, monitoring the outcomes to further
inform improvements to the service.</p>
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