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<p>Universal Credit replaces six benefits with one, to simplify the system and make
work pay. As a result, people claiming Universal Credit move into work faster, stay
in work longer and spend more time looking to increase their earnings. Universal Credit
also provides more help with childcare costs, a dedicated Work Coach and scraps the
16, 24 and 30 hour ‘cliff edges’.</p><p> </p><p>Under the legacy system £2.4 billion
of welfare benefits did not get paid at all because claimants could not navigate the
complexity of the system. Universal Credit is putting this right, ensuring this money
goes to 700,000 claimants who need it.</p><p> </p><p>Claims may be backdated, by up
to one calendar month, in limited circumstances for vulnerable claimants who may be
delayed in claiming Universal Credit through no fault of their own. Claims may also
be backdated in specific circumstances when a couple separates to ensure that there
is no gap in entitlement between the couple claim and the new claim made by a single
claimant.</p><p> </p><p>For new style Employment and Support Allowance, a claimant
has three months following the qualifying date to claim.</p><p> </p><p>The Department
provides benefit eligibility information to help people make decisions surrounding
benefits to which they may be entitled, along with details about how to claim them.
This is available through Jobcentre Plus offices and via the GOV.UK website.</p>
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