UNIVERSAL Credit, the controversial benefit payment system will be rolled out in Renfrewshire later this month.

Council bosses are warning that claimants could wait several weeks for their first payment causing fears people will be pushed into debt.

The method of paying benefits in one payment has taken longer than anticipated to be implemented and it is only people on Job Seekers Allowance who will initially be affected in Renfrewshire.

The change takes place on June 22 for 18-60 year old JSA recipients.

Councillors are concerned about the high level of benefit sanctions in the area and seek assurances it won't be exacerbated.

Councillor Mike Holmes, chairman of Renfrewshire Tackling Poverty Commission warned

He said: "We recently wrote to the UK Government for clarification about the job seeking rules for Universal Credit and the impact these could have on benefit sanctions if conditions set are particularly difficult to meet. "Paisley has the highest number of sanctions in the West of Scotland and we need to know this won't get worse.

"Universal Credit claimants will be given their Housing Benefit directly - whereas previously it went straight to their landlord to cover their rent. This means many people will now have to cope with making the transfer themselves to make sure their rent is paid.

"Those who apply for the new benefit will also have to wait for up to 5 weeks for their first payment and I'm concerned about how people will cope with this."

The council is advising people who face a five week wait to ask at the Job Centre about a benefit advance.

Renfrewshire Council has set up a phone helpline for concerned residents on 0300 300 1433.