UNIVERSAL Credit moves into two more Glasgow areas this week.

People covered by the Jobcentres in Partick and Springburn will be put on to the new benefit if they make a new claim or make changes to their current benefit claim for one of the six benefits it replaces.

The new single payment system replaces Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working and Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.

One of the changes that has the most significant impact on claimants is the wait for a first payment.

Universal Credit is paid every four weeks so people are waiting a month before they get any benefits.

In areas where the benefit has been rolled out already this has caused hardship for many people with rent arrears reportedly increasing and foodbank referrals also noticeably up.

Longer term, people more used to managing money on a weekly basis are having to ensure their money lasts for the longer period.

And instead of housing benefit being paid directly to the landlord on the tenant’s behalf the tenant now receives the cash as part of the monthly payment and is responsible for paying the rent.

In Glasgow, GHA has been helping its tenants with the switch to Universal Credit and offers support with budgeting and managing financial accounts.

Its My Money service is aimed at people struggling with changes in their circumstances, including being moved to Universal Credit.

And the housing association’s Eat Well service provides food for people in hardship.

One tenant from Milton has been on Universal Credit since last year.

He had to wait seven weeks for his first payment, although that delay should now be down to four weeks.

He said people need to be prepared for the delay and surviving with no money coming in.

He said: “I had nothing and had to rely on friends and family, otherwise I don’t know what I’d have done.

“I was eating cold food rather than a hot meal just to save on electricity.

“The worst thing was sitting at home wondering when my electricity was going to run out.”

He contacted his landlord, GHA, on the advice of a friend and he said it was the best thing he could have done.

The tenant added: “GHA helped arrange an emergency payment for me.

“I also got food parcels through Eat Well, so I knew I always had the essentials there.

“When you have nothing it’s great to know there are people out there willing to help.”

Universal Credit doesn’t mean an end to the sanctions regime where people are left for weeks with no cash for breaches of their “contract” like a missed or late appointment.

For some that could mean the loss of housing benefit payments and rent arrears.

The tenant said he was sanctioned for 83 days and his housing benefit was stopped.

He added: “I was terrified I would lose my home.

“I’d advise other tenants to keep a record of every meeting, every phone call with the DWP.

“I was told different things by different people so you need to keep notes.

“The other thing is to get in touch with your landlord straight away.

“Most people sit there and try to battle through things on their own.

“I had no idea this great support was there for tenants. GHA made things so much easier for me.”

For people making a claim who are unable to wait four weeks there is a system in place.

Valerie McGrory, senior operations manager with DW,P said: You can apply, once verified, for an advance of up to 100% of the first payment. This will be paid off over 12 months.

“Payment can be arranged the same day.”

The payback means people will have 8% taken off their monthly benefit, making it harder to get through the month.

Housing benefit will continue to be paid for two weeks.