AN East Cornwall town council has 'real concerns' about the new changes to the benefits system, criticising Cornwall Council for not adequately informing residents of the changes.

Callington Town Council has organised a meeting with a representative from the East Cornwall Citizens' Advice Bureau —ECCABI Ltd — to explain to councillors exactly what the new Universal Credit changes are so they can have a better understanding of how to help their residents.

Universal Credit, the single monthly payment for people in or out of work, which is being introduced by the Government, merges together some benefits and tax credits.

Universal Credit will replace income-based Jobseeker's Allowance; income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Working Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit; Income Support and Housing Benefit.

Callington Town Clerk Helen Dowdall said: 'We are really concerned that residents don't understand what impact these changes could have on their benefits. There will be some massive changes and unfortunately those most affected probably won't fully understand the changes.

'We don't think people are being adequately informed about it. For those in receipt of benefits there will be different types of testing and criteria and we worry about the knock-on effect of people not having enough money. Those that are rightfully due benefits need to be fully aware of the changes. The Government is right in some respects to change the system but it needs to educate people in plenty of time, otherwise it is not fair.'

The changes will also see a move towards a more online system, which Mrs Dowdall said is good to be moving forward, but worries that many people still do not have access to the internet or are not computer literate.

'At the moment there is a big question mark over the future of One Stop Shops, with them looking towards less face to face contact and with the benefits changing as well, people could end up in a real pickle.'

The ECCABI Ltd representative will be talking to councillors at a meeting next week. The council invited him for the meeting after seeing him questioning someone from Cornwall Council about Universal Credit at a council roadshow event.

Mrs Dowdall said: 'We really need to understand the changes, we need to be aware and have a moral duty to know what the changes are so we can make sure people are suitably informed and we can do what we can to help people in the town get what they're entitled to.'

She said this change in benefits and online use may put more onus on them to protect the One Stop Shop in Callington so people have got somewhere to go for help.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: 'As this benefit change is being introduced by the Government, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is taking the lead in communicating the details.

'The current roll out of Universal Credit in Cornwall is limited. At the moment only working age customers between the ages of 18 and 60 who have recently become unemployed, or who are on a low income and meet the conditions for claiming Universal Credit, can make a claim.

'As the DWP expands Universal Credit to other customer groups, we will continue to work with them to ensure a smooth transition.

'We have also worked closely with DWP to ensure that measures are in place for them to refer more vulnerable customers to us who need additional support with the move to Universal Credit, for example those needing assistance to make a claim online or who need help with personal budgeting.

'The council's benefits team and customer services have been trained/briefed about the introduction and we are also working with Cornwall Housing and registered housing providers. We will continue to provide information to members, customers and other partners on the results of the implementation where appropriate.'

For more information about Universal Credit visit the website http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/">www.cornwall.gov.uk/ universalcredit