New Shropshire helpline for Universal Credit

The Help to Claim scheme, launched by Citizens Advice Shropshire, will offer support to applicants to help them get their first full payment.

The charity aims to tailor advice to individuals and make it available face-to-face, over the phone and online through a webchat service.

This may include assistance with the online application form or help with providing evidence like childcare costs.

A recent survey by the charity found more than a third of people the charity has helped struggled to provide the evidence needed to complete their Universal Credit claim.

The charity has already worked with more than 1,180 people in the county with problems relating to Universal Credit. Nationally, Citizens Advice has helped more than 230,000 people with Universal Credit.

The Help to Claim service will be delivered through the Citizens Advice network across England, Wales and Scotland.

Jackie Jeffrey, chief officer of Citizens Advice Shropshire said: "We’re launching a new service specifically for those who need help applying for Universal Credit.

“We offer free, independent, impartial and confidential advice to people in the community and have developed an expertise in dealing with Universal Credit.

"We’ve seen first-hand what can happen when people struggle to make a claim and their payments are delayed.

“We encourage anyone who needs help with their application to get in touch with us either in person, over the phone or over our online chat.”

Universal Credit is a new benefit that combines six benefits into one, including jobseekers allowance and working tax credits. It is now fully rolled out across the UK. When fully implemented, around seven million people in England and Wales will be receiving Universal Credit.

People can access the service by phoning 08001448444 or visiting the website at citizensadvice.org.uk