Millions of people are set to be moved off legacy benefits and on to Universal Credit starting on Monday – a plan charities have deemed "too dangerous to continue", which Caridon Foundation and Caridon Landlord Solutions agrees with.
More than 20 charitable groups have written to the work and pensions secretary, Therese Coffey, asking her not to continue with the rollout unless the government can guarantee nobody's income will be cut off during the process.
Research shows that the incomes of more than 700,000 people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and dementia could be put at risk.
During the pandemic, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) had paused the process of moving people on benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance and Working Tax Credit on to the new system.
However, now plans are to resume the roll out which, coupled with the cost of living crisis will have devastating consequences for thousands.
Sherrelle Collman, Managing Director of Caridon Landlord Solutions and Caridon Foundation says:
“Some of the most vulnerable people in our society are already seeing their quality of life deteriorate due to the crippling increase in the cost of living. We already support hundreds of people who need additional support to budget their income, many of whom are on the old legacy benefit system. They are used to budgeting in a certain way and having to change this, as well as factor in rising prices will be almost impossible. If the Government continues with the rollout, without offering greater support, it is inevitable that we will see rent arrears rise considerably over the next six months.”
Claimants will be given a minimum of three months' notice to make a Universal Credit claim, with the number of a helpline they can call. The DWP will be able to stop benefit claimants’ existing benefits if they do not apply by the deadline. It is thought 2.6 million households could be affected by the changes.
Sherrelle continues: “We already know the pressure that DWP is under managing the large number of people in receipt of Universal Credit following the pandemic, so pushing more people onto the system without the resources needed to cope with this is madness. The helpline is extremely hard to get through to even at the quietest periods.”
The government aims to move all claimants to the new system by the end of 2024.
If you are in receipt of Legacy Benefits and are due to be moved to Universal Credit and require support, please contact Caridon Landlord Solutions on: 020 3728 9937 or email info@caridonls.co.uk