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WHAT IS UNIVERSAL CREDIT?

What is Universal Credit?

A radical change to the benefits system which combines six payments – including tax credits, housing benefit and income support – into a single, means-tested payment.

How does it work?

A claimant's benefits should be adjusted automatically if their wages change. 

Benefits will gradually 'taper' off if a claimant finds work or earns more. 

What is the timetable?

After teething troubles with the computer systems implementation has been hit by delays.

There are currently around 610,000 on UC and this will go up by anther 12 million over the next five years.

Why a five-week delay on payments?

Controversially the benefit is paid five weeks in arrears - this is because it is based on your previous month's earnings.

Critics say this delay pushed people into debt. 

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