Universal Credit

Universal Credit replaces the 6 ‘means-tested’ benefits:

• Income Support
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Working Tax Credits
• Child Tax Credits
• Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Housing Benefit

Whether you should apply for Universal Credit instead of one of these benefits, depends on your circumstances - We can help check to see if you're eligible to claim or if your change in circumstance means you need to claim.

Universal Credit works differently from other benefits - so if you’re moving from another benefit, it’s important to know the differences.

The biggest differences are:

• You can get Universal Credit if you’re unemployed but also if you’re working
• you’ll get a single payment each month, rather than weekly or fortnightly
• instead of getting a separate housing benefit, your housing costs will be paid directly to you as part of your monthly Universal Credit payment (or direct to your landlord in certain circumstances)

National Help to Claim Phone Service

You can contact an adviser through the Citizens Advice free ‘Help to Claim’ phone service on 0800 1448 444. Advisers are available 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday

Local Adviceline

To make an appointment for help with a Universal credit claim or advice on your entitlement, contact us on our local Universal Credit Adviceline