Universal credit start date

[moomoomama27]

Forgive me if I'm being stupid, but does anyone know when the Universal Credit will start. Is it April 2013, or later in that year?

Also what happens if it's phased in over a period of time? Will we renew Child tax credits as usual?

Thanks in advance

[Pedent]

From page 47 of http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/as2012...y_costings.pdf, published yesterday:

• New claims to UC in place of JSA start from October 2013;
• New claims to UC in place of TC and IS start from May 2014;
• New claims to UC in place of ESA and HB start from October 2014;
• Managed changes start in September 2014, initially for JSA cases, and then the other benefits and tax credits in the same order as new claims.

[rogerblack]

Those are the proposed timings which are desired by ministers.
There are increasing noises coming from within the system that these are unlikely to be achievable.

[p00hsticks]

They are launching it in certain 'pathfinder' areas in April next year

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare...versal-credit/

The timetable is then to start new claims nationwide from October

[sosad1968]

Originally Posted by Pedent

• Managed changes start in September 2014, initially for JSA cases, and then the other benefits and tax credits in the same order as new claims.

So, as someone who gets tax credits, nothing will change for me till at least Sept '14?

That is much later than I had thought.

[assj]

That's what I don't understand, do we use the same forms, same contact numbers and still call it Tax Credits until our change over date???

[Horseunderwater]

Why worry about something that has not yet happened. You will get a letter with new details on as they get around to dealing with and converting the TC into UC. Once you get that, then you will know who to ring/write to won't you.

[rogerblack]

Originally Posted by Horseunderwater

Why worry about something that has not yet happened. You will get a letter with new details on as they get around to dealing with and converting the TC into UC. Once you get that, then you will know who to ring/write to won't you.

Because it can be important in working out your finances, as it can make a significant financial impact on your life.

[Icequeen99]

Originally Posted by assj

That's what I don't understand, do we use the same forms, same contact numbers and still call it Tax Credits until our change over date???

Yes, you stay in tax credits until you are told otherwise.

IQ

[brightonman123]

do i claim for DHP (to cover bedroom tax), or wait for dets of what jsa/hb/ctax i need to pay, and claim for under UC?