Important changes for people claiming benefits or allowances from Jobcentre Plus

As part of Jobcentre Plus’s aim to deliver our services more efficiently and effectively, a change is being introduced by the Periodicity and Payday Project, which will simplify the process of paying benefit across most Jobcentre Plus Working Age benefits.

Beginning in April 2009 Jobcentre Plus will align and lengthen payment periods for the majority of Working Age benefits, assigning a single benefit week ending day for each individual, regardless of the benefits they receive, paying customers fortnightly in arrears for a benefit week-ending determined by the customer’s National Insurance number.

Summary of Proposals

This change will be done in three key steps, these are: 

1. move from benefit paid in advance to payment in arrears;
2. move to pay benefits a minimum of fortnightly in arrears;
3. move to pay benefit for a common benefit week-ending day for an individual.

All new and repeat claims will be subject to the new periodicity arrangements from 6 April 2009. Conversion of existing claims will be over the two years commencing 6 April 2009 and is expected to be completed by the end of March 2011

Jobcentre Plus will move all customers to a single benefit week ending day determined by the last two numbers of their NINO as follows:

• 00 - 19 = Monday
• 20 - 39 = Tuesday
• 40 - 59 = Wednesday
• 60 - 79 = Thursday
• 80 - 99 = Friday

Benefits of the change

• This measure will simplify the process of paying benefit across all Jobcentre Plus Working Age benefits.
• Payments will be made to customers on the same day of the week no matter what benefit they receive, which will make it simpler to move between benefits.
• These changes aim to reduce transaction costs across benefits and help to ease the complexity in the current benefits system

If you require further information about this change please  access either the Notice to Providers website or the Jobcentre Plus website on the following links;

DWP Notice to Providers

www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/paydaychanges

A web page will soon be on the Directgov website and we will provide this link as it becomes available. Alternatively you can contact your local Benefit Delivery Centre