Welfare Reform

Housing Rights have produced a comprehensive resource on Universal Credit and Housing in Northern Ireland.

The resource is a complete up to date guide looking at the specific housing impacts of Universal Credit claimants in NI, looking specifically at the following:

Andersonstown in Belfast and Banbridge are the latest areas in  Northern Ireland to have Universal Credit introduced on the 27 June 2018.

Universal Credit will replace Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Income based Job Seekers Allowance and income related Employment and Support Allowance.  Anyone of working age who gets these benefits will be affected.

Lurgan, Newcastle and Kilkeel are the next areas in Northern Ireland to have Universal Credit introduced on the 30 May 2018.

This new benefit will replace Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Income based Job Seekers Allowance and income related Employment and Support Allowance.  Anyone of working age who gets these benefits will be affected.

Back in November 2017, Chancellor for the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond, announced a £1.5 billion package to address some of the concerns which have been raised in relation to Universal Credit. One of the main measures introduced was the concept of a “Housing Benefit transitional payment for Universal Credit claimants”.