Chancellor Sajid Javid is being urged to cut the five-week waiting time that Universal Credit claimants face before receiving their first payment.
Ahead of the planned spending review tomorrow, Citizens Advice Scotland has called on the Treasury to listen to the harrowing testimony of people around the country revealing the impact the waiting time has had on them.
A briefing from the advocacy organisation has recorded how the delay in payments leads people into spiralling debt, leaving them with no money to heat their home or buy food.
The Voices From the Frontline briefing calls for urgent changes, including a reduction in the waiting time and the establishment of a single grant payment for new UC claimants to reduce hardship while they wait for their payments to start.
Mhoraig Green, of CAS, said: “Our evidence has consistently shown the five-week wait to be one of the most problematic features of UC.
“It can leave people struggling to afford food and other essentials.
“Many clients have also reported increased stress and negative impacts on their mental and physical health as a result of the wait.”
The charity is calling on the Chancellor to use the spending review to reduce the amount of time people have to wait to receive the first payment and to make non-repayable advance payments available to new claimants to avoid debts building up.
Green said: “We are calling again for action to address the problems of the five-week wait.
“In the meantime, anyone who is currently struggling with UC or needs help to make an application can get free confidential and
impartial advice from their local Citizens Advice Bureau.”
