Government rules out changing universal credit assessment period

The government has insisted it has no plans to change universal credit assessment periods.

Liberal Democrat MP Marie Goldman asked ministers if they’ve looked at whether the current monthly assessments are adequate and if the frequency could be changed.

In response, social security minister Sir Stephen Timms ruled out revising the current system.

“Assessing universal credit monthly ensures that we can receive at least one update of earnings information for each working member of a household,” he commented.

This, he said, means that the benefit calculated “accurately reflects the needs of the household”.

First payment five weeks after claim

Sir Stephen stated that the first payment of universal credit is usually made around five weeks after the claim is made.

The first calendar month is the initial assessment period, he said, during which information is verified to ensure accurate payments.

Once the month has ended, entitled for this period is calculated and paid seven days later.

“Payments thereafter are made monthly in arrears,” Sir Stephen said.

“Assessment periods, once made, are set and cannot be changed.”

Sir Stephen added that universal credit is “designed to top-up earnings from employment, adapting to changes in the amount of earnings received each month”

Universal credit to increase by 1.7% 

The minister’s comments come shortly before universal credit goes up by 1.7% on 7 April.

The standard allowance changes will be as follows:

• single under 25: £311.68 to £316.98 per month
• single 25 or over: £393.45 to £400.14 per month
• couples under 25: £489.23 to £497.55 per month
• couples 25 or over: £617.60 to £628.10 per month