Overview

This bill aims to improve the Universal Credit system in the UK by speeding up the application process, offering more payment choices, prioritizing applications from terminally ill individuals, and clarifying who can assist claimants with their applications.

Description

The bill makes several key changes to the Universal Credit system:

Faster Application Processing

The Secretary of State must ensure that initial Universal Credit payments are made within one month of application, unless exceptional circumstances prevent this. Exceptions are allowed, provided they affect less than 1% of applications in a six-month period. Claimants will receive an initial payment based on an initial period of entitlement, even if the full application takes longer to process.

Payment Options

Claimants must be clearly informed about all payment options, including bimonthly or monthly payments directly to them, or monthly payments split between the claimant and their landlord for housing costs. For joint claimants, payments can be apportioned to each individual unless they request otherwise.

Terminal Illness Provision

Applicants with a terminal illness (defined as a reasonable probability of death within six months, confirmed by a relevant medical practitioner) will have their applications prioritized, receive payments within two weeks of providing a medical report, and will be exempt from work-related requirements.

Implicit Consent for Assistance

MPs, MSPs, and MSAs representing a claimant's constituency are automatically given implicit consent to assist with their Universal Credit applications. The Secretary of State can extend this to other relevant individuals or bodies via regulations.

Equality Impact Assessment

The Secretary of State must conduct an equality impact assessment of the application process, payment arrangements, and any changes made by this Act, consulting with the Scottish and Welsh Governments.

Government Spending

The bill states that any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State under the Act, and any increases in sums payable under other Acts due to this Act, will be paid from money provided by Parliament. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Universal Credit claimants: Potentially experience faster payment processing, more flexible payment options, and easier application processes, particularly those with terminal illnesses.
• Landlords: May receive housing payments directly from the government under the new payment options.
• MPs, MSPs, MSAs: Given implicit consent to assist claimants in their constituencies.
• Medical professionals: May be involved in providing medical reports for claimants with terminal illnesses.
• The Secretary of State and government departments: Responsible for implementing the changes and conducting the equality impact assessment.

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