Doncaster's Universal Credit claimants are in arrears

75% of Doncaster’s Universal Credit claimants in rent arrears.

Figures show there are now 4,441 Universal Credit claimants in Doncaster, and 3,305, or 75% are in rent arrears. Data shows that debts owed to the council has risen by nearly £500,000 in 12 months.

Reports also that another 50 people per week are currently being enrolled onto Universal Credit in Doncaster.

Universal Credit was introduced in 2013 in attempts to simplify, combine and replace some of the existing benefit schemes. It combines what was previously six means-tested payments into one lump sum.

It was also meant to incentivise paid work. The system also means that what was previously housing benefit, and paid directly to the council or housing association, is now instead given to the tenant.

However, there have been wide spread problems. Particularly, with unexpected deductions from payments and people having to wait over five weeks for money.

St Leger Homes manages the boroughs entire council house stock. They are working with residents to manage their debt, and have helped over 2,000 people struggling with arrears.

Nearly a third of those Doncaster residents who are on Universal Credit and in arrears have a alternative payment payment plan through the service.

The matter has been discussed between Doncaster’s directly-elected mayor Ros Jones and those at St Leger Homes who provided this data on their quarterly performance.

Last April St Leger Homes reduced the amount of weekly rent due from their tenants. However, this would not have impacted on a tenants ability to pay their rent as their Universal Credit would also have been reduced accordingly. Failure to declare this change to the Department of Work and Pensions might have resulted in the government taking steps to recover any over payments, putting tenants in further debt. St Leger Homes has said that it is doing all it can to assist the 75% of Doncaster’s Universal Credit claimants now in rent arrears.

Major Jones has said:

“When you see the figures that 75 per cent of people are in rent arrears, it actually demonstrates that Universal Credit is not working and it is wrong when people are put in that position.”

“We will continue to do all we can to assist our residents and the sterling work that is being done by St Leger Homes to help sustain tenancies cannot be overlooked.”

“Our thanks have got to go to those staff and I’m sure many of the tenants would also like to say their thanks for giving them the assistance they require.”

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Doncaster’s Universal Credit claimants are in arrears

75% of Doncaster’s Universal Credit claimants in rent arrears.