A controversial new benefits system comes into force in Sittingbourne, Queenborough and Sheerness this week amid concerns about the potential impact on claimants.

Universal Credit rolls six benefits into one payment and is intended to simplify the structure of allowances received by people out of work or on low incomes.

Sara Jones, of Citizens Advice Swale, says as in most other areas volunteers are expecting a sharp rise in calls from people worried about the new system.

“It is difficult to judge what will happen until it happens but all our staff have received extra training about Universal Credit,” she said.

“As a whole the CAB are happy with the changes the Government have recently agreed to introduce, but we are concerned a lot of our clients could struggle to deal with managing claims online.

“We expect a lot of people are going to struggle over Universal Credit as we have seen in other areas but we will try to help as much as we can.”

Other challenges, she said, could be with employers, who have greater responsibility to provide up-to-date information on salaries and other details which affect the amount claimants receive.

Universal Credit merges income support, jobseekers’ allowance, employment and support allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit.

Since it was announced in 2010, the new system has been dogged by controversy and criticism from charities after long waits of more than six weeks for payment pushed people into debt, evictions and homelessness.

In his Autumn budget, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced changes intended to speed up the process, reducing waiting times for payments from six weeks to five.

Fees for calling a hotline for people seeking help with their claims were also scrapped.

The move will affect only new claimants and people whose circumstances have changed significantly. Most regular visitors to jobcentres in Sittingbourne and Sheerness won’t be switched for at least 22 months.

Turn2Us, a charity which helps people in financial hardship get access to benefits, will also be on hand to provide support.

Advice and information is available at Turn2us.org.uk or by calling Citizens Advice Swale on 01795 436520.