Universal Credit is a benefit for people who are out of work or on a low income.  It is not backdated, so you need to apply as soon as your circumstances change.  It replaced the following benefits and combines them into one monthly payment:

• Housing Benefit

• Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

• Income Support

With Universal Credit, money towards your housing costs is paid to you, so it is important that you make arrangements to pay your rent.

In important part of a Universal Credit claim is the 'Claimant Commitment'.  In order to receive the benefit you must agree to carry out certain actions when requested.  This could include things like checking the on-line portal at regular intervals, attending job interviews or preparing a CV.  It is very important that you do what is required or your benefit can be reduced.  This is called a 'Benefit Sanction'.

In order to claim you will need to gather the following information:

• Your National Insurance number

• Your postcode

• Your type of accommodation (for example private rental, council tenancy or housing association tenancy)

• How much rent or mortgage you pay each month & any service charges you pay

• Your landlord’s address and phone number

• Your bank, building society, credit union or Post Office card account details

• How much you earn from work (such as recent payslips, or accounts or receipts if you’re self-employed)

• Any income that’s not from work (for example a pension or insurance plan)

• Any savings or other capital you have (for example shares or property)

• How much you pay for childcare (if you want to claim childcare costs)

• Child benefit reference numbers (you can find these on letters to you about child benefit - they start with ‘CHB’)

• Details of any other benefits you’re getting

It is worth taking some time to understand Universal Credit so that you understand how it works.  The following links may be useful:

<< CITIZENS ADVICE - Guide to Universal Credit >>

<< Department for Work & Pensions - Claiming Universal Credit >>

Please contact the office if you are one of our tenants and you need help with your Universal Credit application.