Universal Credit crisis sees foodbank stock up on tins as bungling officials leave families without money
A FOODBANK is urgently stockpiling food ahead of the Universal Credit roll-out in its local community which they believe will cause "chaos".
Sufra NW London in Brent is urgently replenishing its supply of tinned goods to help people facing "hardship and acute stress" when the new scheme is introduced in the borough tomorrow.
Universal Credit is the Government's new welfare system which bundles six existing benefits into a single monthly payment.
The scheme is being implemented across Britain in phases, with the full national roll-out still years away.
But areas which already have the scheme have seen some families being left without any money because of delayed payments.
Mohammed Mamdani, Director of Sufra NW London, supported by Islamic Relief UK, said: "There has been very little public awareness of what Universal Credit is and how people will be affected by it, so a lot of vulnerable people will be in for a big shock.
"Many people affected don’t read newspapers and don’t have a television, so we are expecting chaos.
"Research has shown that in other boroughs that have rolled out Universal Credit, there has been a 52 per cent increase in food banks, so we are getting prepared and are stockpiling as much food as we can."
The issue comes from the fact that many people will have to wait a month to receive their first payment.
Mohammed added: "People who come to our food bank are living hand-to-mouth and being forced to wait for benefit payments could be devastating for them.
"They could be plunged into debt and unable to pay for essential food and fuel bills.
"And at this time of the year, as the cold weather sets in, this could be very dangerous."
“I have serious concerns for the mental health of many people who will be moving onto this new system. The existing benefits system is already very stressful to navigate but I fear that Universal Credit will send people over the edge.
"We only have one advice worker for 4,000 people at the centre and we are expecting absolute chaos!”
How to get help on Universal Credit
Apply for a Universal Credit advance
When you first claim Universal Credit you won't be paid any money until five weeks after you submit your claim, you will then be paid monthly.
So, if you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs while you wait for your first Universal Credit payment, you can apply to get an advance.
You can apply for an advance payment via your online universal credit account or through your Jobcentre Plus work coach.
Check if you can get a budgeting advance
If you get Universal Credit, you may be able to apply for a budgeting advance of between £100 and £812 - depending on your circumstances - to help pay for emergency household costs.
Again, this MUST be repaid within a year and repayments will be deducted from your monthly Universal Credit payments - or via other means if you no longer get universal credit.
Are you eligible for a hardship grant?
If you fail to meet your responsibilities or what you’ve agreed in your "claimant commitment", your Universal Credit could be stopped or reduced - this is called a sanction.
You can ask for a hardship payment if you cannot pay for rent, heating, food or hygiene needs because you got a sanction.
The hardship payment is roughly 60 per cent of the amount you were sanctioned by in the last month.
Again, you will need to pay it back through your Universal Credit payments.
Struggling with your rent or mortgage payments? You may be entitled to help
If you’re having financial difficulties or you’re behind on your rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an "alternative payment arrangement" (APA).
Depending on your circumstances, you could get an APA to:
- get your rent paid directly to your landlord
- get paid more frequently than once a month
- receive split payments, if you’re part of a couple
Renters and homeowners may also be entitled to housing payment.
Plus, if you're struggling to pay your council tax bills you may also be allowed an up to 100 per cent reduction. Contact your local authority for more information.
Get help with food costs
If you're struggling to pay for a food shop, you may be able to get a minimum of three days' worth of food from a Trussell Trust food bank - there are around 420 of these across the UK.
to find out which referral agencies it works with in your area and how you can get a voucher.
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Minister for Employment Alok Sharma said: "Universal Credit is central to our commitment to help families improve their lives by moving into work.
"We know it's working - with Universal Credit people are moving into work faster and staying in work longer than under the old system.
"And now we are rolling it out to a wider range of people in a safe and controlled way."
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