MORE people in Sedgemoor will now be able to access the Universal Credit benefit.

The benefit payout, which was introduced by the Government to collate six benefit payouts into one payment, is now available for disabled people and jobseekers with families across the district.

The Government introduced the controversial benefit in a bid to simplify the welfare system.

It means that people previously claiming either jobseeker's allowance, employment and support allowance, income support, working and child tax credit, or housing benefit, will now make a single claim for Universal Credit.

Families can also now claim up to 85 per cent of childcare costs.

Lord Freud, welfare reform minister, welcomed the news, and said: “Universal Credit is transforming lives and is central to our vision of a society where anyone, regardless of their background, can get on in life and reach their potential.

“Universal Credit simplifies the system and is much more flexible, enabling claimants who may have been out of a job for a while to take on small amounts of work to build up their skills and confidence”

“Today sees the next step in revolutionising welfare by expanding Universal Credit to make it available to the full range of claimants, and bringing the additional support it offers to parents to help them re-enter the world of work.”

In the new changes, families on Universal Credit who find work on low pay will now be able to claim back up to 85 per cent of their childcare costs – potentially boosting their finances by over £13,000 a year.

For more information on the system, visit gov.uk/childcaresupport, or gov.uk/universal-credit