Raising Awareness of UC Grant

Improving Awareness of the Universal Credit New Claims Grant

Now dealing with the ESA cohort, DfC is rapidly moving through the managed migration process to ensure completion before April 2026. Law Centre NI welcomes attempts to improve communication in relation to the Universal Credit New Claims Grant (previously known as the Contingency Fund). This non-repayable grant helps new Universal Credit claimants who face financial difficulty while they wait for their first full Universal Credit award (including the first or second payment if paid twice monthly). We wrote to the Department for Communities to raise concerns that too few people claim the New Claims Grant and that staff give loans to others whose requests fall within the legacy benefit run-on period.

Assembly Questions.

In the response to an Assembly Question in relation to awareness of the grant, the Minister referred to a redesigned Finance Support NI Direct campaign page and outlined enhancements to the universal credit journal which includes signposting; information;  and how to apply as one of the initial messages a customer receives when they first claim universal credit. Availability of the New Claims Grant is also included in the migration letter for those legacy benefit claimants being invited to claim universal credit.

The Minister also answered an Assembly Question about difficulties accessing the New Claim Grant during the 2 week legacy benefit run on period. Whilst the Minister stated there is no restriction in applying within the first 2 weeks, he encouraged claimants wait until week three to ensure that any assistance available is maximised and not reduced or negated by the run on payment.

Criteria for a New Claims Grant.

Claimants may struggle to prove eligibility for the New Claims Grant if they receive income in the first two weeks. DfC must explain this clearly to claimants before offering loans during the first two weeks.