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<p>Around 80 per cent of new claims are paid in full and on time. In many cases, where
full payment is not made on time by the end of the first assessment period, this is
as a result of unresolved issues such as: some claimants have not signed their Claimant
Commitment or passed identity checks, and the others have outstanding verification
issues, such as for housing and self-employed earnings. Whilst their verification
is on-going, many of these claimants receive a part payment for those elements of
the claim that have been resolved. Within five weeks of the payment due date, 95 per
cent of claims are paid in full.</p><p>DWP continues to monitor payment timeliness
and we have made changes to improve payment timeliness. For example, we have built
processes into the system to make it easier and quicker for people to verify information
such as their housing costs.</p><p> </p><p>Advances are available to provide financial
support until the first payment and these can now be repaid over a course of 12 months
and can consist of up to 100 per cent of the indicative monthly award. We have also
abolished waiting days and now provide 2 weeks of housing support to claimants moving
to Universal Credit from Housing Benefit.</p><p> </p><p>If a claim has been delayed
due to error, DWP can also consider awarding an ex-gratia payment, as set out in the
guide of Financial Redress for Maladministration, available on gov.uk, and which is
attached.</p>
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