Universal Credit is a new benefit that is being rolled out across the country. It is for people of working age and replaces:

• Housing benefit.
• Jobseekers allowance (income-based).
• Employment and support allowance (income-related).
• Income support.
• Child and working tax credits.

You can claim Universal Credit if you need help with living and housing cost.

You must be of working age but it doesn't matter if you're in work or not working.

Universal Credit has successfully rolled out across all job centres across the country.

If you are already claiming one of the benefits it includes, unless you have a change of circumstances, you are likely to be transferred onto Universal Credit between 2019 and 2024.

You can't claim Universal Credit if you:

• Have £16,000 or more in savings.
• Are excluded from benefits because of your immigration status.
• Are under 18 (with below exceptions).

You have to make an online claim for universal credit.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit

It should take 20 to 40 minutes. 

You will need to ensure you have certain items to hand.

• your email address
• bank details
• national insurance number
• proof of identity 
• household income and savings
• rent,
• childcare costs

Please be advised you will need to create a Login, Password and 3 Security Answers which you will need to use at a later stage.

If you need help, call the universal credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 or you could contact the Citizens Advice - Help to Claim service who will be able to assist you with making your claim.

Their contact details are:

• National Helpline: 0800 144 8 444

You usually have to make an appointment at your local Jobcentre Plus within 7 days of making an online claim. You must attend the appointment to complete your claim.

To book this appointment you will need to contact Universal Credit Full Service on 0800 382 5644.

If you are struggling during this waiting period, you can ask for an advance payment for up to 1 month’s expected entitlement amount, which you will need to pay back over the next 24 months.

You will receive your first payment after 5 weeks if you are assessed as eligible and then monthly just like a salary. It is paid in arrears on the same date every month, unless your payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, when you may receive it early.

When you apply for Universal Credit your housing costs will be included. You do not have to make a separate claim.

The costs will be included in the monthly payment made directly to you and it is your responsibility to ensure that this is paid to your landlord. Depending on how much you earn, you may not get the full costs, so it is important that you ensure that the remainder of your rent is paid in full from your earnings.

If you feel that this is going to be problematic for you, discuss it with the job centre or Orwell. In some circumstances, it can be arranged to have the housing costs paid directly.

All Universal Credit claimants in Orwell areas, are eligible for local budgeting advice from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, who are trained particularly for universal credit.

If you are finding it hard, talk to your housing officer or contact our Welfare Reform Officer Danielle Porter on 01473 228652.

The benefit cap limits the total amount of benefits that families who are out of work, can receive... 

If you're affected, your monthly Universal Credit payment is reduced to the cap level.

Benefit cap outside London

These limits apply if you don't live in a London borough:

• £423 per week for a couple or family with dependent children
• £284 per week for a single person without children

The benefits that are also included in the cap are as follows:

• Housing benefit (unless you live in supported housing).
• Income support (IS).
• Jobseeker's allowance (JSA).
• Employment and support allowance (ESA) (unless you are in the support group).
• Incapacity benefit.
• Child benefit and child tax credits.
• Guardian's allowance.
• Carer's allowance.
• Maternity benefits and widows benefits paid by the Department for Work and Pensions.
• Severe disablement allowance.
• Universal Credit.

Some people will not be affected because they are claiming from the list overleaf:

You will not be affected if you are claiming:

• Working tax credits.
• Disability living allowance or the personal independence payment.
• Attendance allowance.
• Support component of employment and support allowance.
• Industrial injuries benefits.
• War widows’ pension.
• War widowers’ pension.

Benefits not included in the cap these benefits and payments don't count towards the cap:

• Discretionary housing payments.
• Council tax support/reduction.
• Budgeting loan/advances.
• One-off council crisis payments.
• Free school meals.
• Child maintenance payments.
• Winter fuel payments.
• Statutory maternity, paternity or adoption pay.
• Statutory sick pay.
• Housing Benefits for supported accommodation.

If you are in receipt of working tax credits for at least 12 months but then lose your job or reduce your hours the benefit cap won't apply for a 9-month 'grace period'.

If you are a single parent and the cost of childcare is proving a worry, the government have doubled the number of free childcare hours a week, to 30 for all 3 and 4 year olds and some 2 year olds.

If you are still having difficulty paying your rent due to a genuine difficulty, you can apply to your local authority for a Discretionary Housing Payment and local budgeting support.

These services are available from all local authorities. Please go to your own for advice.