Grenfell survivors could face benefits chaos days before Christmas as they switch to Universal Credit
Residents of North Kensington will fall under Universal Credit from December 12, it has emerged
GRENFELL Tower survivors are set to be plunged into benefits chaos just days before Christmas, it emerged today.
Families who suffered through last year's deadly fire will be switched to Universal Credit in mid-December.
The move raises the prospect of claimants suffering gaps in their payments over Christmas.
Thousands of Brits claiming the new Universal Credit, which replaces six different benefits, have seen their income shrink as a result.
Ministers have been urged to step in and protect Grenfell survivors who could miss out as a result of the "utterly heartless" switchover.
UC will be rolled out to the North Kensington area, which includes the Grenfell neighbourhood, on December 12.
Residents who make a new benefits claim, or who have to register a change in circumstances, will be put on UC.
Other locals can stay on the existing benefits scheme for longer as long as their work and family situation remains the same.
Universal Credit is paid monthly and in arrears - meaning anyone switching to the scheme must wait five weeks for their first payment, unless they apply for an emergency loan from the Government.
Labour MP David Lammy blasted: "This is utterly heartless. 36 Grenfell families are still in temporary accommodation following the fire that killed 72 of their neighbours.
"The Government should make special assurances that survivors are not pushed into destitution over Christmas."
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pension said: “The Grenfell fire was a horrific tragedy and our thoughts remain with those affected.
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“Following last year’s events, DWP jobcentre staff handled people’s claims with sensitivity and flexibility and extra support was put in place for anyone who needed it.
“The timetable for Universal Credit rollout has been available for some time and is on track for completion in December 2018.”
This week Philip Hammond announced he was pumping an extra £1.9billion a year into UC in a bid to fix the problems which have plagued the system.
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