Universal credit claims continuing at double the rate prior to lockdown

Latest management information shows that 154,000 declarations were made in the week beginning 11 May 2020 as compared to 76,000 in the week beginning 2 March

Claims for universal credit are continuing to be made at double the rate they were prior to lockdown, according to DWP management information.

In Universal Credit declarations (claims) and advances: management information, published today, the DWP sets out the number of universal credit declarations made between 1 March and 19 May 2020 - 

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

The DWP highlights that, while the number of declarations per week has fallen substantially since the peak following the imposition of the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, there were still 154,310 declarations made in the week beginning 11 May 2020, as compared to just 76,310 in the week beginning 2 March 2020.

Universal Credit declarations (claims) and advances: management information is available from gov.uk