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5 May, 2020 Open access

2.3 million ‘declarations’ for universal credit made since beginning of coronavirus lockdown

New management information also shows that DWP paid more than 800,000 universal credit advances in period since lockdown began

2.3 million ‘declarations’ for universal credit have been made since the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, according to new DWP statistics.

In 'Universal Credit management information tables: 1 March to 28 April 2020', published today, the  DWP sets out the number of 'declarations' made to universal credit between those dates - 

NB - the DWP advises that a 'declaration' is made where an individual/household provides information on their personal circumstances to begin a universal credit claim, and clarifies that not all declarations will go on to receive a payment.

Analysing the figures set out in the tables, the DWP highlights that -

The DWP also sets out statistics on the number of universal credit advances paid in the period from 1 March to 28 April 2020, including that, since 16 March 2020 it has made around 815,000 advance payments.

For more information, see Universal Credit management information tables: 1 March to 28 April 2020 from gov.uk

Stop press - 6 May 2020 - in a press release published today, the DWP says that more than 135,000 new claims to universal credit were made on 30 and 31 March 2020 and that, of the eligible claims, 'around 93 per cent have been paid in full and on time'.