DWP takes £1 in every £13 back from 3.2 million Universal Credit claimants

Around 3.2 million Universal Credit claimants are losing large chunks of money every month due to payment deductions, according to analysis of Department for Work and Pensions data. This follows a large rise in the overpayment of benefits such as Carer's Allowance, which has left the department chasing over 130,000 British carers for nearly £250 million, with many facing large deductions to pay it back.

People on benefits can have their payments deducted for a wide variety of reasons even beyond the DWP, from owing rent to a private landlord to being behind on utility bills. Currently, half of all Universal Credit recipients are having their payments reduced to pay back debts, costing the average claimant £63 every month.

The data revealed that 730,000 households were paying back an advance from the DWP to cover the initial five-week wait for the first Universal Credit payment, while 910,000 households were paying back budgetary loans to meet emergency costs amid the last two years of the cost of living crisis. Sam Tims, senior economist at the New Economics Foundation, said: “The social security system should provide a safety net for us all. But low-income families are trapped in a vicious cycle of debt due to insufficient wages and state support and the relentless pursuit if debts that built up as a result.

Loans Loans Latest News, Loans Loans Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

DWP Universal Credit, PIP, Pension Credit change warningThose receiving DLA, ESA, Income support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension credit, PIP, State pension, Universal credit & more will be affected…
Source: Glasgow_Times - 🏆 76. / 59 Read more »

DWP payment dates for June 2024 with Universal Credit changesThe DWP 'Back to Work' plan is set to affect around 180,000 claimants in the UK - but the new rules are set to be in place for the payment dates for June 2024
Source: nottslive - 🏆 96. / 52 Read more »

DWP identifies most common reasons for Universal Credit fraud ahead of crackdownThe total amount of fraud in Universal Credit stood at £5.66bn in the last fiscal year, compared to £4.93bn the previous financial year
Source: LiveLancs - 🏆 10. / 87 Read more »

DWP update for people awaiting first Universal Credit paymentThe DWP has published a full list of ID documents new claimants will need to take with them to the Jobcentre if they are invited to attend a face-to-face interview
Source: MENnewsdesk - 🏆 23. / 69 Read more »

DWP update for those awaiting first Universal Credit paymentThe DWP has published a full list of ID documents new claimants will need to take with them to the Jobcentre if they are invited to attend a face-to-face interview
Source: nottslive - 🏆 96. / 52 Read more »

DWP update for millions of Universal Credit claimantsThe DWP has issued new advice for the millions of people now claiming Universal Credit across England, Scotland and Wales.
Source: nottslive - 🏆 96. / 52 Read more »