Page 101 - Reforming Benefits Decision-Making

a) The UC webpages are part of a How to claim Universal Credit: step by
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step guide, which also links to additional information on “What to do
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if you have a health condition or disability” and “What to do if you
disagree with the decision”.
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b) In addition to the UC step by step guide there are a whole variety of other
guides, including: a Universal Credit: Health conditions and disability
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guide; a Universal Credit: childcare guide; as well as guides for
people in particular circumstances such as prison leavers, students and
homeless people. There are also a range of guides for landlords and for
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those supporting claimants. There is a “Universal Credit and you
guide” intended to be for people already claiming UC which includes
information on sanctions, how and when UC is paid and help with
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childcare and housing costs.
c) In addition, the DWP has a website “understanding universal credit”
which is separate from the normal gov.uk DWP pages. It provides an
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array of information on UC, including information on eligibility,
conditionality and sanctions, what to do if you have a health condition or
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disability that prevents or limits the work that you can do, making a
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claim and managing a claim. There is also a section for people who
are assisting someone else to claim.
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273 The webpage has a timeline of five steps with links to information about each step. The steps are 1.
Check if you’re eligible, 2. Create an account and make a claim and find out how your claim is
assessed (links to what to do if you have a health condition or disability), 3. Apply for an advance on
your first payment, 4. Get your first payment (links to information on what to do if you disagree with
the decision) 5. Report any change of circumstances. See DWP, How to claim universal credit: step by
step.
274 DWP, Health conditions, disability and Universal Credit.
275 DWP, Challenge a benefit decision (mandatory reconsideration) (see n. 225 above).
276 DWP, Universal Credit: Health conditions and disability guide (July 2020).
277 DWP, Universal Credit: childcare guide (July 2020).
278 An overview of all of the different guidance available for UC can be found here: Understanding
Universal Credit, Universal Credit: Detailed Guidance (February 2020).
279 DWP, Universal Credit and you (April 2021).
280 Understanding Universal Credit, What is universal credit?.
281 Understanding Universal Credit, New to Universal Credit.
282 Understanding Universal Credit, Making a claim.

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