Run-on payments are welcome, but millions of Universal Credit claimants still face the choice of struggling now or struggling later, says Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice has responded to the rollout of run-on payments for legacy benefits claimants moving to Universal Credit.

Dame Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“Run-on payments are a welcome step that will lighten the burden for many legacy benefits claimants moving to Universal Credit.

“But millions of people who have lost their jobs as result of this crisis remain subject to the five-week wait. While advances are available, they have to be repaid, which can leave people with a choice of struggling now or struggling later.

“Turning advance payments into a grant would strengthen the safety net and make sure more eople don’t face hardship or debt if they need support from Universal Credit.”

Notes to editors

  1. Citizens Advice includes the national charity; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.

  2. Citizens Advice is the statutory consumer advocate for energy and post. We provide supplier performance information to consumers and policy analysis to decision makers.

  3. The Citizens Advice Witness Service provides free, independent support for prosecution and defence witnesses in every criminal court in England and Wales.

  4. Citizens Advice offers Pension Wise services at 500 locations in England and Wales.

  5. Citizens Advice’s services are free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to all regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  6. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice, visit citizensadvice.org.uk

  7. For consumer advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 to talk in Welsh.

  8. We helped 2.6 million people face to face, by phone, email and webchat in 2017-18. For service statistics see our monthly publication Advice trends.

  9. Citizens Advice staff are supported by over 23,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 locations in England and Wales.