Universal Credit

    The Welfare Reform Bill includes proposals to introduce a Universal Credit to replace all means tested working age benefits from 2014.   The benefits which will be replaced by the Universal Credit include Housing Benefit, income related Employment Support Allowance, income related Job Seekers Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Income Support.   The government intends to simplify the benefits system with the introduction of the Universal Credit and to make the transition into work easier.   Universal Credit will be payable to those both in work and out of work.   Permitted Work The existing permitted work system for people who are sick or disabled will be replaced by a system that will not be time limited and which will encourage more disabled people, especially those with fluctuating capacity, to do some work, even if only for a few hours a week.