Universal Credit Claims Pass 80,000 in Kent

The numbers of people claiming Universal Credit (UC) across all JobCentre Plus Offices in Kent (including Medway) between Feb 2019 and March 12th 2020 has risen by 37,329 (just place mouse on the graph for monthly increases), according to the latest the latest figures published Department of Work & Pensions (DWP).

To give that number some meaning, people claiming UC in Kent (including Medway) is slightly more than the population of Deal, Walmer and Sandwich, within the boundaries of the  two maps shown. There combined populations according to the Office of National Statistics latest population estimates is, 36,824.

The latest numbers do NOT include people who have made claims since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It’s been published elsewhere the number of people claiming UC during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK, is 1.4 million and rising. We expect the next set of figures to be published in May to show a substantial increase across all Kent JobCentre Plus offices.

UC is a benefit payment for people in or out of work. It has been heavily criticised as it does not do what it says on the tin – that being help people escape poverty

The number of people in poverty in working families has already hit a record high, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation

In Kent, figures show being in work and claiming UC does not mean you escape poverty. In Feb 2019 the number of Kent children in a working household in receipt of UC was 82%, according to Kent County Council published data.

In March 2019 we know that 55,113 children in Kent were living in Relative Poverty according to the DWP and HMRC. Therefore we can estimate that approximately 45,192 children were living in a working household who were claiming UC.

Again to give 45,192  some understandable meaning, it is slightly more than the population of Dover (44,846) within the given boundary of the map, according to Office of National Statistics latest population figures

As we said in our blog post early this month about children living in absolute and relative poverty in Kent and the Folkestone & Hythe District the covid-19 pandemic is only going to make things worse for all families and their children who are forced to make a claim for UC, regardless of  whether they are employed or not.

In the coming weeks, months and years we expect to see an increase in Kent households claiming UC. We also expect to see in time more families and more children fall into poverty as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Finally, the percentage of people in or out of work claiming UC in Kent for Feb 2020 is as follows:

If you find yourself having to make a claim we would strongly advise you collect together all your financial incomings (wages slips etc) and outgoings ( council tax, water, elecie, gas etc)

If you need to claim Universal Credit you can do so ⇒ here

If you need to understand what Universal Credit is, a good explainer can be found ⇒ here

Once accepted onto UC you can apply for Council Tax Reduction ⇒ here

You can also apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to top up you rent for a max of 3 months ⇒ here

If on UC you can also apply for the Affinity Water Low Water Tariff you’ll need to supply supporting evidence and can make an application ⇒ here

Also if you are on UC you can apply for the Southern Water Water Sure tariff you’ll need to complete the application form.

Alternatively email us at payless@southernwater.co.uk or phone us for free on 0800 027 0363 8am–7pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm Saturday.

The Shepwayvox Team

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