THE new universal credit method of benefit payment is being rolled out to more people in Blandford.

The benefit, which previously covered single jobseekers in the area, now applies to people in work, those on low incomes and people with disabilities.

Universal credit replaces six benefits with one monthly payment, but has been criticised for delays in payments and the call charges made to people facing long waits on the phone for advice.

It will now be paid to anyone in the Blandford area who would previously have claimed income-based jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance, income support, working and child tax credit and housing benefit.

Employment minister Damian Hinds said: “Universal credit is central to our goal of building a Britain that works for everyone and it is already transforming lives across the country.

“We are simplifying the system, making it more tailored to claimants needs and enabling those who have been out of a job for a while to take on short contracts to build up their skills and confidence for a full time role.”

The universal credit system was designed to simplify benefits and end the “cliff edge”, where people lost all their benefits once they worked more than 16 hours a week.

But the system involves a six-week wait for the first payment, while almost a quarter of claimants have had to wait longer.

And claimants have faced long waits on a phone line which can cost up to 55p a minute from a mobile phone.