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Universal Credit Full Service

Published: 14/07/2017

The UK Government has been implementing its programme of welfare reforms over the last five years. Flintshire County Council has been working with partners to attempt to mitigate the full impacts of these reforms for its most vulnerable residents. On Tuesday, 18 July, Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet will be asked to note and continue to support the ongoing work to manage the impacts that Universal Credit Full Service has and will have upon Flintshire’s most vulnerable households. Universal Credit has been operating in Flintshire since April 2014. In April, the UK Government rolled out Universal Credit Full Service (UCFS). This change was introduced in three job centres in Flintshire initially – Shotton, Mold and Flint. Since April, 362 customers are receiving UCFS. The report outlines how the Council is trying to help these customers and others who will be affected by this significant change and challenge. The Leader of Flintshire County Council, Councillor Aaron Shotton, said: “We have seen an increase in people looking for help from the Council since the introduction of UCFS. The Council’s Flintshire Connects centres have been supporting our residents and offering them advice and assistance on how to manage their claims online. We are directly supporting those most at risk of losing income, those having problems in paying their rent and those with an increased risk of homelessness, to mitigate the impact of these welfare reforms on our most vulnerable residents.” Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Bernie Attridge, said: “We are also monitoring how the impact of UCFS has contributed and will continue to contribute to an increase in the level of rent arrears. “Flintshire County Council is committed to providing resources to assist our customers to minimise the impacts of UCFS.”