Universal Credit

Landlords ‘disappointed’ in lack of government support for move to improve housing options for Universal Credit claimants

Scotland’s largest membership organisation for private landlords and letting agents has described it as “disappointing” that the Scottish Government won’t support a measure which would increase the availability of homes for those on Universal Credit.

Published 17 June 2019

Universal Credit blamed by MSPs for increasing rent arrears

The introduction of Universal Credit has greatly increased rent arrears and immediate action is needed to tackle the issue, a Scottish Parliament committee has said.

Published 14 June 2019

Fife fights poverty with new help for council tenants

A £1 million fund is to be made available to help Fife Council tenants who are struggling to cope with the effects of Universal Credit (UC).

Published 11 June 2019

Discretionary Housing Payments top £62m in 12 months

Local authorities in Scotland spent more than £62 million over the last year under the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) scheme.

Published 31 May 2019

CAS warns UN on ‘digital divide’ in Universal Credit

As many as one in three people seeking help with Universal Credit don’t have access to the internet to make their claim, according to new figures from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS).

Published 23 May 2019

Call for direct landlord payments of Universal Credit amid low take-up figures

Scottish Labour has called on the Scottish Government to use the new powers over social security to ensure automatic payment of the Universal Credit housing element to landlords.

Published 15 April 2019

First year success of Govan Housing Association’s Financial Inclusion Team

A Financial Inclusion Team formed by Govan Housing Association to assist its tenants and the wider community with all matters relating to money and welfare benefit advice is celebrating a successful first year.

Published 8 April 2019

SFHA: Universal Credit creates ‘systemic indebtedness’ for new claimants

Ahead of giving evidence today to the Scottish Parliament’s social security committee inquiry into social security support for housing, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) said that “Universal Credit is creating systemic indebtedness and arrears for new claimants”.

Published 4 April 2019

Citizens Advice Scotland to launch new DWP-funded service to support Universal Credit claimants

Citizens Advice Scotland has launched a new DWP-funded service to support people during their initial application for Universal Credit.

Published 1 April 2019

Highland Universal Credit claimants urged to act ahead of annual rent increase

Seven affordable housing providers across the Highlands are urging tenants claiming Universal Credit to update their claim this April 1 to ensure their entitlement covers their annual rent increase for the year ahead.

Published 26 March 2019

Call for housing element of Universal Credit to be paid to landlords for all claimants

Scotland’s largest membership organisation for landlords in the private rented sector has asked the UK and Scottish Governments to ensure the housing element of Universal Credit is paid directly to private and social landlords for all Scottish claimants.

Published 22 March 2019