THE new benefits system will be rolled out in Oxford this month.

Oxford City Council said Universal Credit would be introduced for single adults without children from April 20.

It is expected around 150 people a month will apply for the new benefit, which combines jobseekers’ allowance, income support, employment and support allowance, working tax credits, child tax credits and housing benefit into one payment.

It will be paid on a monthly basis, into claimants’ bank or building society accounts.

The new scheme – part of a national overhaul introduced by the last government – aims to simplify the system.

It is expected that the number of people affected at first in Oxford will be small, city council revenues and benefits programme manager Paul Wilding said.

And Mr Wilding said the council already had experience with the new system after it took part in two pilot schemes.

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In a report to the council executive board, he wrote: “The eligibility criteria for Universal Credit in Oxford in year one means that there will be a small number of claimants.”

“[The Government is] forecasting up to 150 applications a month in Oxford, although experience in other areas shows numbers of applications are much lower than forecast.”

The council’s welfare reform team is on 01865 252755.