KEIGHLEY people are being offered help with the biggest change to the benefits system in years.

Social landlord Incommunities, which manages hundreds of Keighley's former council houses, has issued advice on Universal Credit.

And it will support tenants on its own estates, which include Braithwaite, Guard House and Bracken Bank as well as smaller developments in outlying villages.

Staff at Incommunities want to ensure this month's ‘full service’ introduction of Universal Credit cross Bradford district goes smoothly for its customers.

Universal Credit replaces six benefits - Housing Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support, Income Support, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

The government says the change will simplify the benefits system, help people of working age on low income to earn more, and encourage people to move into work.

The new benefit is calculated and paid monthly direct into a person’s bank or credit union account. Applications are made online so claimants need internet access and an email address.

Incommunities said customers would need to provide details such as: National Insurance number; mobile phone number; email address; proof of their rent; bank, building society or credit union account; details of their income; and details of all household members.

Incommunities’ customers already claiming Universal Credit also face changes and will be contacted by the group’s Income Team over the next few months about what they will need to do.

Under the changes people living in rented accommodation will be responsible for paying their rent directly to their landlord.

In preparation for the roll out Incommunities’ have given staff special training, given information to community groups, produced an online guide to applying for Universal Credit, and advised customers and opening bank accounts.

Dave Dickens, Incommunities’ Director of Income and Customer Services said: “The full roll out of Universal Credit is the biggest benefit change for many years. It will be a phased process so not all our customers will go onto the new benefit immediately.

“We estimate around 10,500 of our customers will be affected by 2022, but those customers currently claiming benefits do not need to do anything now, other than make sure they have a bank account and can access to a computer.

"However, if your circumstances change you should contact us straight away.

“We are committed to working with our partners including Bradford Council, Jobcentre Plus, the Department for Work and Pensions and voluntary agencies to support local people.

“Our dedicated Income Team are available to help our customers through this new benefit system and we would urge any customer who needs advice or support to ring 01274 254777, email incometeam@incommunities.co.uk  or go to our website.”

For further information, visit incommunities.co.uk and click on ‘better off Incommunities’, or visit gov.uk/universal-credit.