AQW 18397/17-22 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities (i) how many people in Northern Ireland are on Universal Credit; and (ii) of that number, how many individuals do not receive welfare mitigation support for (a) benefit cap; (b) social sector size criteria, known as the bedroom tax; or (c) benefit cap and social sector size criteria.
Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 5 May 2021
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 5 May 2021
- Answer due by
- 20 May 2021
- Answered
- 17 May 202112 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The most recent published statistical data for Universal Credit and Welfare Mitigations Support is available at:
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/system/files/publications/communities/dfc-ni-uc-stats-nov-2020.pdf
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/communities/dfc-annual-report-welfare-supplementary-payments-discretionary-support-standards-of-advice-assistance-and-sanctions-annual-report-2019-20.pdf
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/system/files/publications/communities/benefit-cap-statistics-nov-2020.pdf
It is important to note that entitlement to welfare mitigation support is dependent on individual circumstances. Therefore, not everyone claiming Universal Credit will be entitled to support for benefit cap, social sector size criteria or both.