Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a benefit payment, it is replacing things such as housing benefit and tax credits. You'll find lots of information about it on the Move To Universal Credit website [external link].

With Universal Credit, you get one payment each month - in the past, people got separate payments for things like housing benefit, income support, child tax credit and jobseeker's allowance.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you are on a low income or unemployed. You will usually only be able to claim Universal Credit if you are aged 18 or over, but some people aged 16 or 17 can get it, depending on their circumstances.

Universal Credit replaces:

• Child Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Working Tax Credit

If you are already claiming these benefits or tax credits, the Department for Work and Pensions will get in touch with you before there are any changes to your benefits or tax credits. You will not be moved over automatically and will need to apply yourself for Universal Credit.

How to claim

You can apply to claim Universal Credit on the gov.uk website [external link]. You can get help to claim Universal Credit from Citizens Advice [external link].

How can we help

We don't want you to feel worried or anxious about Universal Credit, but we do want to help you get ready. Contact us to speak to our Tenancy Sustainment team [internal link] for support.

Further information about benefits in the UK

Citizens Advice website [external link] - information and advice with benefits

Gov.uk website [external link] - this is the official government website for information about benefits

Money Helper website [external link] - this website has information about benefits, debt and budgeting.