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What changes are taking place?

Jobcentre Plus will be introducing important changes to the day on which most people will receive their working age benefits.

Once the change has taken place most people will receive their payments fortnightly in arrears and on a day linked to their National Insurance number, as shown in the table below.

Timescales

The process of converting people's benefit to the new arrangements will begin from 6 April 2009.

Any New claims after 6 April 2009 will be subject to the new rules with conversion of existing claims taking place over two years up to 31 March 2011. If you are affected by the changes, Jobcentre Plus will notify you in advance by letter, explaining the details of your change and when it is going to happen.

The list below details the benefits affected by the changes to pay periods and pay week-ending days conversion;

Jobseeker's Allowance

All new or repeat claims made from 6 April 2009 will automatically follow the new arrangements and conversion of existing awards will be completed by March 2011.

Income Support

Split into 3 groups, conversion will be in the following order with each group being converted in stages;

1. Lone Parents with children aged 9½ years to 11½ years
2. Lone Parents with children aged over 6 years
3. All remaining Income Support awards

Bereavement Allowance

All new claims to Bereavement Allowance processed on or after 6 April 2009 will automatically follow the new arrangements. Existing awards made before 6 April 2009 and covering a period after this will not be converted but allowed to expire.

Bereavement Payment is not affected by the changes.

Widow's Pension, Widowed Parent's Allowance and Widowed Mother's Allowance

Widowed Parent Allowance processed on or after 6 April 2009 will automatically follow the new arrangements. Existing cases will be selected in stages for conversion between 6 April 2009 and March 2011.

Incapacity benefits

Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disability Allowance will be converted in stages between 6 April 2009 and March 2011.

Maternity Allowance

All new claims processed on or after 6 April 2009 will automatically follow the new arrangements. Awards made before 6 April 2009 and covering a period after this will not be converted but allowed to expire

For further detailed information about these changes follow the link below: