To ask the Minister for Communities what support will be provided to people who lose their job but do not receive assistance from the Government’s new Job Support Scheme.

My Department is committed to supporting people at this difficult time and a series of changes have been put in place to ensure that the social security system is more flexible, to relieve hardship and to ensure people most in need get the help and support they require.

Those on low incomes or out of work can get support by applying for Universal Credit. Claims can be made online and a step by step guide on how to make a claim is available on the Department’s website at https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/communities/dfc-universal-credit-step-by-step-guide.pdf.

Anyone currently in receipt of Tax Credits should read the information on www.gov.uk/working-tax-credit/further-information before making a claim to Universal Credit.

A person considering making a claim for benefit can access the ‘entitled to’ benefit calculator to get an estimate of how much Universal Credit they may be entitled to https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/benefits-adviser

Immediate financial support is available for anyone struggling financially while waiting for their first payment of Universal Credit by applying through their online account for a repayable advance payment of up to 100% of their estimated entitlement. In addition, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Universal Credit standard allowance increased for everyone by £86.67 a month from 6 April 2020 for one year.

People making a claim to Universal Credit can also apply for a non-repayable grant from the Universal Credit Contingency Fund through the Discretionary Support Scheme. An online application form can be found at:

www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/discretionary-support-form. Further details on the Discretionary Support Scheme can be found at:

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/extra-financial-support.

If a person satisfies the National Insurance Contributions (NICs) criteria, they may also be able to apply for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance. Details, including access to an on-line form, can be found at:

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/jobseekers-allowance