Petition · past parliament · Department for Work and Pensions
Reduce 5 week wait for first Universal Credit payment to 2 weeks.
Closed
300 signatures
What the petition asks
Reduce the wait for claimants first Universal Credit payment from 5 weeks to a maximum of 2 weeks. It has been proven & evidenced by numerous sources that the wait causes severe financial hardship leading to debt, rent arrears, homelessness & mental health problems.
"Arrears for UC claimants are almost 6 times the average arrears of a Housing Benefit claimant (£162) – the UC average is £938."
Peabody.
"Our evidence has consistently shown the 5 week wait to be one of the most problematic features of UC."
CAB Scotland.
"Tenants claiming Universal Credit at July 2019 had seen a much bigger average increase in rent arrears since roll-out began than Housing Benefit tenants."
Riverside Group.
Peabody.
"Our evidence has consistently shown the 5 week wait to be one of the most problematic features of UC."
CAB Scotland.
"Tenants claiming Universal Credit at July 2019 had seen a much bigger average increase in rent arrears since roll-out began than Housing Benefit tenants."
Riverside Group.
Timeline
| 13 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 13 Sep 2020 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
300
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
13 Mar 2020
Closed
13 Sep 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.