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<p>We continuously modify and improve Universal Credit in response to feedback, and
have also implemented a number of further improvements.</p><p>This package of measures,
which are set out below, not only addresses concerns raised around the first assessment
period and the budgeting issues faced by some claimants at the start of their claim,
but also supports the vast majority of claimants transitioning onto Universal Credit.
They include:</p><ul><li>from 29 November 2017, all DWP Universal Credit phone lines
are free and claimants will not be charged when they need to get help with their Universal
Credit claim.</li></ul><ul><li>from 3 January, the repayment period of Universal Credit
advances has been increased to 12 months and claimants can now get up to 100 per cent
of their estimated monthly entitlement upfront. These advances are available to claimants
interest-free. Earlier this month (July 2018), advances also became available to apply
for online.</li></ul><ul><li>from 14 February, the seven-day waiting period that some
claimants had at the start of their Universal Credit claim was removed; and,</li></ul><ul><li>from
11 April, we have provided an additional payment for claimants already receiving support
towards their housing costs of two weeks of their Housing Benefit to support them
as they transfer onto Universal Credit. Claimants will not be required to repay this
money.</li></ul>
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