The North Antrim MLA was speaking as the Alliance Party launched a new policy document on the issue
The five-week wait for a first Universal Credit payment is forcing some people to turn to illegal money lenders in order to survive, while experiencing mental ill health and going cold and hungry, Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has said.
Universal Credit, which was introduced by the UK Government in 2013 to replace several ‘legacy’ benefits, is designed to support those out of work or on a low income. With over 185,000 claimants in Northern Ireland, the policy has sparked controversy for a number of reasons, including the five-week wait all claimants must endure before they receive their first payment.
The party have made a number of policy proposals including making the Universal Credit Contingency Fund the first source of support offered to new claimants who are struggling financially and referring all claimants for independent advice before they take on an advance payment. “Despite repeated calls for help, successive Communities Ministers have made little progress on fixing the issues. UC claimants have no more time to wait. The five-week wait is forcing some people to turn to go hungry, turn to food banks and live in cold homes. That is not good enough.
Politics Benefits Alliance Party Department For Communities Antrim
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