Universal Credit

What is Universal Credit?
How to claim
Housing costs
Payments
Council Tax Reduction Scheme claimants
How Universal Credit affects Housing Benefit
Are you ready for Universal Credit
Where to get help and support

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a new benefit for people of working age on a low income and is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is a single monthly payment which will eventually replace:

Income Support
income related Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA)
income related Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
Housing Benefit
Working Tax Credit/Child Tax Credit

To check if this affects you, visit Universal Credit.

How to claim

Claims for Universal Credit should be made online.

If you haven't got your own PC, then try to use a computer belonging to a friend or member of your family.

If this isn't possible, you can use a computer free of charge at our Customer Service Centre.

Before making a claim, you need to gather the following information and have it ready:

your postcode
your National Insurance number
details of the bank, building society or Post Office account you want Universal Credit paid into
your rent agreement (if you have one)
details of your savings or other capital
details of any income that’s not from work (e.g. from an insurance plan)
details of any other benefits you’re getting

You might also need these details for people who live in your home (e.g. your partner).

Two child limit on new claims

If you have three or more children you won't be able to make a new Universal Credit claim, unless you are making a re-claim because you were getting Universal Credit within the last 6 months*.

If you have three or more children and can’t apply for Universal Credit, you may be able to make a new claim for Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, and other benefits.

* You can also make a new Universal Credit claim as a single person within one month of a previous joint claim ending, because you are no longer a member of a couple.

Find out more about the two child limit on Gov.uk.

Existing benefit claimants

If you're already claiming any benefits you don't need to do anything. You'll be told when Universal Credit will affect you.

Housing costs

Universal Credit includes housing costs

Any help you get with your rent will be included in your Universal Credit payment and you will be responsible for paying your landlord. In some circumstances payments can be made direct to the landlord, for example, when there are rent arrears or threat of eviction or you find it difficult to manage payments.

Further information for landlords and tenants to help them prepare for the move to direct payments and what protections and safeguards are in place is available on the Gov.uk website.

If you live in Supported Exempt/Specified Accommodation, as well as claiming Universal Credit you will need to claim Housing Benefit for help with your rent as you will not be entitled to claim the housing element of Universal Credit.

Payments

Help with Council Tax is not included in your Universal Credit payment. The DWP will not accept a claim for council tax support at the same time as you claim Universal Credit.

You must apply for Council Tax Reduction directly through our benefits service once you have applied for Universal Credit. If you don't apply for your council tax support at this time, you may not receive your maximum entitlement.

Do you need help claiming Universal Credit, or do you need support to help you manage? Find out how.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme claimants

Help with Council Tax is not included in your Universal Credit payment. The DWP will not accept a claim for council tax support at the same time as you claim Universal Credit.

Do you need help claiming Universal Credit, or do you need support to help you manage? Find out how.

How Universal Credit affects Housing Benefit

Universal Credit is a benefit for working age people and includes help towards housing costs.

Pension age people are not affected by Universal Credit and there are no changes to Housing Benefit if you are of pension age.

From 13 December 2017, for residents living in many postcodes in Bassetlaw, we won’t be able to accept new claims for Housing Benefit if you are of working age* - you will have to claim Universal Credit instead.

If you receive Housing Benefit on 12 December, we will continue to pay your Housing Benefit until your circumstances mean you are no longer entitled to Housing Benefit, or until we are asked to end your Housing Benefit claim because you have claimed, or need to claim, Universal Credit.

You must still make your claim for Council Tax Reduction to us because this is not included in Universal Credit.

* There are a few exceptions for example if you live in supported accommodation or you have been told you cannot claim Universal Credit because you have three or more children.

Pension age people are not affected by Universal Credit and there are no changes to Housing Benefit if you are of pension age.

You must still make your claim for Council Tax Reduction to us because this is not included in Universal Credit.

*There are a few exceptions for example if you live in supported accommodation or you have been told you cannot claim Universal Credit because you have three or more children.

Are you ready for Universal Credit

Universal Credit Full Service is now in force in the Bassetlaw* area.

It’s completely different to existing benefits
It’s paid in one single monthly payment
You'll have to wait several weeks for your first payment

Do you need help with using the internet or using a computer?

You'll be expected to claim Universal Credit online. This means you need access to a computer and be able to use the internet, or have someone you trust who can help you.

Can you provide valid identification?

You need to provide ID, for example a passport, driving licence or EEA national identity card and evidence of your address.

Do you use an account to manage your money?

Before you can claim Universal Credit, you need an account to receive payment. It can be a bank or building society account or an account with 2 Shires Community Bank.

How often are you paid (from work, tax credits or other benefits)?

Universal Credit is only paid once a month into your account.

You have to pay your bills, expenses and rent (if it’s included) out of your Universal Credit monthly payment so you need to plan your budget around it.

Do you pay rent, or is your rent paid on your behalf?

If your Universal Credit payment included help with rent and some service charges, you will have to pay it to your landlord yourself.

Are you married and living together, or living together with a partner?

You will normally only get one joint Universal Credit payment for you and your partner. You and your partner will need to agree whose account to have it paid in to.

Before you start, have as much of this information to hand as possible:

your postcode
your National Insurance number
your rent agreement (if you have one)
details of your savings or other capital
details of any income that's not from work, e.g. from an insurance plan
details of any other benefits you're getting
details of any children, including their Child Benefit numbers

If you have a partner you will also need their details

Don’t forget to make an appointment with your Job Coach, so your claim can start.

Find out about the help and support available to you.

*Some Newark area postcodes will roll out in May 2018. Please check with your Job Centre.

Where to get help and support

There are lots of organisations that can help you understand Universal Credit, help you make a claim, and offer advice and support if you're finding it hard to manage.