The Department for Work and Pensions ‘Help to Claim’ support will
be delivered independently by Citizens Advice, in partnership
with Citizens Advice Scotland, following a further £21.3 million
investment.
Since 2019, Help to Claim has supported over half a million
people, with nine in 10 people using the service rating their
overall experience as good or very good. The service will now run
until March 2023.
Trained advisers provide advice for anyone who requires support
to make a new Universal Credit claim, including those moving from
a legacy benefit, such as how to collect the relevant evidence
and fill in the application. They can also help with additional
advice such as preparing for a first jobcentre appointment.
This follows recent changes to the Universal Credit taper rate,
which combined with our increase to work allowances means
hard-working families will see an extra £1,000 a year on average,
helping them keep more of what they earn.
Minister for Welfare Delivery said:
We remain committed to providing the best possible support for
all claimants, including the most vulnerable in society, in both
making and maintaining their claim.
In addition to the support Jobcentre Plus staff already provide,
Citizens Advice will continue to deliver high quality,
independent advice and we look forward to working closely with
them in the months to come.
For anyone who needs a bit of extra support to claim Universal
Credit, Help to Claim is there.
Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:
We’re glad to continue this important service as we’ve seen first
hand the difference our advisers make in helping people access
Universal Credit.
We’ll continue to use our frontline insights to suggest
enhancements to the way benefits are delivered, further helping
the people we support.
People will be able to access Help to Claim support from Citizens
Advice via its website
and through the free phone service by calling 0800 144 8444 for
England, 0800 023 2581 for Scotland and 0800 024 1220 for Wales.
The service is free and confidential. Advisers are available 8am
to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
