To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the five most common reasons for the rejection of applications to the Universal Credit Contingency Fund in the last five years.

The Universal Credit Contingency Fund Scheme is administered through the Department’s Discretionary Support Scheme. Applications are processed by Discretionary Support staff and are governed by the Discretionary Support Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 which can be accessed via www.legislation.gov.uk/all?title=DISCRETIONARY%20SUPPORT%20REGULATIONS%202016

The most common Universal Credit Contingency Fund claim disallowance reasons include;

Regulation 10 (basic eligibility criteria) has not been satisfied.

Regulation 6 (evidence and information in connection with a claim) has not been satisfied.

Regulation 12 (grant eligibility) has not been satisfied.

Regulation 13 (persons excluded from Discretionary Support). Excluded persons include prisoners or a person who is lawfully detained or is on temporary release, a resident in a residential care home, a nursing home or a hospital in-patient, a member of a religious order who is fully maintained by that order.

Other regulations which include regulation 21 (principles of determination of the award) have not been satisfied. This takes account of whether the customers need can be met from other resources, the nature, extent and urgency of the need and taking account of the general guidance issued by the Department (list not exhaustive).

Further information relating to this scheme, including eligibility and how to apply, is available on nidirect: www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/finance-support