Kevin Higgins, Head of Policy Advice NI, examines the issue of Winter Fuel Payments; the proposed changes; and the choices facing the NI Executive in terms of what could happen in Northern Ireland.
With the Department for Communities currently issuing thousands of Migration Notice letters each month to people on Tax Credits as part of its ‘Move to UC’ programme, we want to make sure that those affected get the right advice about the timing of their claim in order to maximise their entitlement to the 6.7% benefit uprating from April.
Advice NI launch an Information Briefing aimed at raising awareness of the major players involved in consumer protection in Northern Ireland, including in the important area of scams and illegal money lending.
People on the lowest incomes – both in and out of work – have endured a decade of austerity; with freezes and cuts to social security benefits and in-work support; hollowing out support, undermining resilience and ability to cope with adversity.
Advice NI, Rural Support and The Ulster Farmers’ Union have expressed their collective concern over the impact on many of the 134,000 self-employed people in Northern Ireland who currently rely on tax credits and who will be impacted by ‘Move to UC’.
Advice NI respond to Department for Communities consultation on restrictions to Discretionary Support grants for basic needs and the extension to the repeat item exclusion period.
Managed migration to Universal Credit (UC) began in April in Northern Ireland, with 500 legacy benefit claimants in both Andersonstown & Enniskillen Jobs and Benefits Office areas contacted as part of an initial ‘Discovery Phase’, advising them that they have 3 months to move to Universal Credit.
