Council Prepares For Benefit Changes

Work has begun to prepare the county for the main roll-out of Universal Credit. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Universal Credit will replace six benefits with a single monthly payment for those out of work or on a low income. It is being introduced on a phased roll-out, and though still to be confirmed, it wouldn’t be fully introduced in Powys before April 2017 at the earliest. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Wynne Jones, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Welfare Reform, said: “The council has a responsibility to ensure that residents in the county have access to all the necessary support and assistance they need. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We have been working with key stakeholders for some time to prepare so we can all help and support residents affected so they know where to turn.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As part of the preparations, the council has teamed up with Digital Communities Wales to offer free training for front line staff and volunteers who can support people to get online and become digitally included. Online access to benefit advice and information will form a part of the introduction of Universal Credit. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​