Today (19 October), the Work and Pensions Select Committee published a report on the wait for a first Universal Credit payment, recommending that the government make non-repayable 'starter payments' within two weeks of a person making a claim. Current policy sees people waiting five weeks for their first Universal Credit payment, or they can apply for an advance payment to support themselves, which are then taken out of future Universal Credit payments. 

Responding to the report recommendation, Jon Sparkes, Crisis Chief Executive, said 

“The call from the committee for the introduction of a starter payment for people on Universal Credit is one that we wholeheartedly agree with.

“Through our work across the country, we know that the current five week wait can put incredible pressure on people financially and push them even closer to the brink of homelessness. In some cases it leaves people defaulting on their rent, unable to buy food for their family or having future payments cut to the bone to cover an advance payment. By introducing this starter payment, the government would be able to ease this pressure and prevent the real threat of homelessness from hanging over people.

“With more people facing job losses and rent arrears due to the current recession, now is the time for the government to strengthen our welfare safety net and ensure more people are prevented from facing homelessness.”