The purpose of this research was to investigate the barriers faced by residents claiming Universal Credit and how these barriers might be overcome.
Conducted by social security experts, Policy in Practice, on behalf of Riverside, St Mungo’s, The Salvation Army, and YMCA, the research’s findings are based on conversations with people living in supported housing, support workers, benefit and income advisers, and Work Coaches from Jobcente Plus. Key findings from the research include:
- The difficulties that people living in supported housing can have in making their specific circumstances know to the DWP and the impacts this can have on their claim;
- The increasing amount of time that is being spent by support workers on universal credit related issues and the limits this can place on other essential support activities, including those related to health and wellbeing; and
- The unnecessary restrictions that are placed on existing forms of communication between claimants and services and the DWP.
In response to its findings, the research makes a set of practical, achievable recommendations on how universal credit can improve its interactions with vulnerable claimants. With the process of managed migration set to begin transferring greater numbers of people living in supported housing from legacy benefits to universal credit from next year, it is vital that these recommendations are considered and acted on as soon as possible.
Download the reportIf you want to find out more about this research or if you have a query please contact our Policy team on policy@ymca.org.uk.