Preparing for Universal Credit

Universal Credit

Over the next few weeks we will be preparing for the Universal Credit roll out in Torfaen which starts on 12th July.

Mal & Lesley delivered three sessions on an introduction to UC to a variety of front line workers in Torfaen this week and will be delivering more in the future. Our aim is to make sure that front line workers in health, social services, youth services feel you can't wiat for the 1 hour video! and other professions are aware of the support that clients will need in applying for the benefit, managing the waiting period and supporting those who will lose out. We hope this will make sure that front line workers will know when and how to refer to specialist services like ourselves.

The programme of awareness raising sessions is supported and organised by TCBC. There is a plan to webcast one of the future sessions so that people unable to attend in person can access the information.Any staff or volunteers can have a look at the presentation which is now on the staff handbook drive of our server.

We are not anticipating large numbers of clients moving on to the new benefit initially, but over time we will be supporting greater numbers who will  have difficulty making and managing a claim, managing without any money for the first 6 weeks of a claim and with those worse off under the new benefit.

We  are encouraging all the agencies in Torfaen to use Citizens Advice Torfaen as a central hub to record problems experienced with Universal Credit so that there is a single point where issues are collated and raised with the authorities. We have set up ucproblems@citizensadvicetorfaen.org.uk to collect these and will be looking for a volunteer to take on the task of centrally processing the information.

We also recognise that some people will need help accessing IT and managing the online claims process. We will be using our small laptops and the open space on our 1st floor to provide self help and assisted self help computers for the public, supported by volunteer advisers and our Advice Session Supervisors.

Part of the application process will involve clients using UK Verify to prove their identity on the Gov.uk website. We will need to have experience of using this in order to support our clients better. It can be a difficult and frustrating process. It would be useful if staff and volunteers we able to experiment with UK Verify in a personal context as I am sure this will help.

Congratulations Bob & Lynne

Big well done's to Bob and Lynne who passed the Giving Good Debt Advice course to enable them to qualify as Debt Caseworkers under the new Money Advice Service rules.

Top marks so far..

Go to our Consumer Team who have met all their quality targets in the first 2 months of operation, great work.

Well done to Councillors Hopkins & Tarr

Congratulations go out to Nathan and to Natalie who were returned as Community Councillors at the Local Government elections on the 5th May this year. Natalie for Greenmeadow in Cwmbran and Nathan for Graig Community Council in Newport.

Christmas working 2017

A reminder for staff that the Bureau office will be open during Christmas on the 28th, 29th & 30th Dec because the call centre must remain operational on these days. This will enable anyone who would prefer to work those days and use their annual leave for other purposes. If you want to do this please contact Cynthia otherwise she will retain 3 days of your annual leave to cover the Christmas week. There are no plans to open Drop In services on these days but booked appointments can be made if advisers and caseworkers wish to.