The end to the Universal Credit uplift is still due to happen in the coming week.
Despite warnings from numerous charities and pressure groups about the potentially disastrous consequences of ending the uplift, first introduced at the start of the pandemic, the government has so far said it will continue to press ahead.
The £20 uplift was introduced in order to to help people cope with the pandemic and has been vital for many families.
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With millions across the country currently in receipt of Universal Credit, the end of the uplift will have consequences for many.
In addition, for those who only went on to Universal Credit after the introduction of the uplift, its removal will give them a Universal Credit income lower than they have ever know.
Here is what people who are set to be hit by the end of the uplift need to know.
When exactly does the uplift end?
The specific date that people will be affected by the end of the uplift will vary slightly.
The scheme itself comes to an end on October 6 but the exact date that will be felt by families will depend on the day they receive their payments.
How many people will be affected?
Across Britain, around six million people are estimated to be on Universal Credit.
In Liverpool, that number stands at approximately 60,000.
That is a mix of people who are unemployed and those receiving Universal Credit while in work.
What will happen when the uplift ends and what support is available for people in difficulty after the drop?
After the drop, recipients do not need to take any specific actions, with the reduction applied automatically to people's incomes.
Similarly, it will not affect how anyone needing to apply to receive Universal Credit does so.
However, many families are likely to face difficulties as a result of the end of the uplift
There are a number of services, such as Citizens’ Advice, which offer help and support for families struggling financially and are available across the UK.
There are also some more localised services available, with some local authorities offering hardship or crisis payments to those in difficulty.
In Liverpool, for example, the council sometimes offers payments from a hardship fund or supports those in crisis. However, these funds are already hugely stretched.
