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_policy_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-reform/universal-credit/

The timetable is then to start new claims nationwide from October

sosad1968

Pedent wrote: »

• 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.

[Deleted User]

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

Horseunderwater wrote: »

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

assj wrote: »

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?