The number of people claiming Universal Credit in Caerphilly County Borough has increased by almost 2,000 since August 2019.
The latest figures from the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in December last year, 8,134 people in Caerphilly were claiming Universal Credit.
In August 2019, that number was 6,282.
Of Wales’ 22 local authorities, Caerphilly has the sixth highest number of Universal Credit claimants, rising one place from seventh.
Only Cardiff, Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Newport and Neath-Port Talbot rank higher.
Universal Credit, which combines several benefits into one, was fully introduced to Caerphilly County Borough in September 2018.
Across Wales, there were 141,462 claimants in December, with more than 2.8 million people across the UK receiving the benefit.
There have been a number of well-reported problems with delayed payment of the benefit.
Caerphilly’s Labour MP Wayne David, who was re-elected in December’s General Election, said: “This is a flagship government policy and yet its implementation has been a disaster.
“People are still having to wait for as long as five weeks for their first payment and many, as a result, are being forced to use food banks.
“The benefit is also unfair, with some claimants being worse off as a result of its introduction. The government really ought to scrap Universal Credit and go back to the drawing board.”
Huw Thomas, DWP group partnership manager for Wales, said: “Universal Credit is helping more and more people in Wales move into work faster and become financially independent.
“It is providing valuable support for families and is helping to transform lives for the better.”