Recommendation 3

People who receive Universal Credit and are paid on a non-monthly basis, even if their earnings follow a consistent pattern, can fail to meet the eligibility criteria in a qualifying period. We recognise that the Government has taken steps to mitigate the risk of an individual missing more than one cost of living payment if they are paid fortnightly or weekly. This mitigation is not enough given a recipient of Universal Credit on such a pattern would still miss one of the cost of living payments and a considerable amount of support. Anyone who misses a cost of living payment due to receiving regular earnings on a non-monthly basis should be issued the missed payment in the mop-up system.