The Scottish Government has claimed Universal Credit is contributing to homelessness A NEW report drawn up by Scottish Government officials has claimed that “the evidence is clear that certain features of Universal Credit can lead to homelessness”. The official document warns that the UK Government's benefits policy has contributed to homelessness north of the border – stressing people are put at risk of losing their homes due to a five-week wait to receive their first payment. The Scottish Government has suggested the findings show “how people can be plunged into poverty by a poorly executed” system. The UK Government has rolled out Universal Credit gradually since 2013 to replace six ‘legacy benefits ‘ - income support, jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit.