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<p>Universal Credit Full Service rolled out in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney on 27 June
2018. For new claims to Universal Credit Full Service in ‘Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
constituency’, that were due a first payment in August 2018, our internal data shows
that 85% were paid in full on time and 92% were paid in part on time. The information
requested for data on payment timeliness for second assessment period payments is
not held as the sample size is not sufficient to provide a robust measure of payment
timeliness for these claims.</p><p> </p><p>The information requested for data on payment
timeliness details for South Wales is not held.</p><p> </p><p>Our most recent payment
timeliness statistics for claims in Great Britain have been published on gov.uk and
can be accessed at:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/755723/universal-credit-statistics-to-11-october-2018.pdf"
target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/755723/universal-credit-statistics-to-11-october-2018.pdf</a></p><p>
</p><p>This shows that for Great Britain, for first Assessment Periods where the payment
was due in August 18: 84% were paid in full on time, and 89% paid in part on time.
Our internal data shows for second Assessment Periods where the payment was due in
August 18: 92% were paid in full on time and 96% paid in part on time.</p><p> </p><p>Social
Security is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and the delivery of Universal Credit
in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Communities, part
of the Northern Ireland Executive.</p><p> </p><p>To provide analysis of the longest
wait for payment would incur disproportionate cost as the information is not readily
available.</p><p> </p><p>In many cases where full payment is not made on time, it
is due to unresolved issues such as: claimants not accepting their Claimant Commitment
or passing identity checks, or having outstanding verification issues, such as housing
costs and self-employed earnings. In order to support claimants to claim, we have
taken steps to improve verification processes. For example, we have listened to feedback
and built processes into the system to make it easier and quicker for people to verify
their housing costs, for example through the landlord portal.</p><p>For anyone waiting
for their first Universal Credit payment, advances are available, so no one should
be left without means of support.</p><p> </p>
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