Universal Credit

Universal Credit is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is a benefit for people who are both in and out of work.

It aims to make the welfare system simpler by replacing six benefits and tax credits with one single payment.

This applies to all new claims, unless you are of pension age then Housing Benefit is claimed. The benefits replaced by Universal Credit are:

• Income Support
• Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit

Find more information at UK Government Universal Credit.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you:

• are aged between 18 and pension age
• live in North Ayrshire
• aren’t living in supported, exempt accommodation

New claimants who do not fit these conditions, will not be accepted and, should contact DWP. The DWP has three Jobcentres in North Ayrshire (Irvine, Kilbirnie and Saltcoats).

For eligibility information, visit your local Jobcentre, or contact the Universal Credit helpline:

• telephone 0800 328 5644
• textphone 0345 600 0743

Claims for Universal Credit must be made online.

Before you start, gather the following:

• your email address to register with
• your National Insurance number
• details of the bank, building society or credit union account into which your Universal Credit will be paid (account number, sort code)
• your rent agreement or tenancy agreement (if you have one)
• details of any savings or other capital
• details of any non-work income (for example, an insurance plan)
• details of any other benefits you already receive
• your partner’s details, including income if a ‘joint claim’
• your children’s details (if you have any)
• details of childcare and costs (if you currently pay any)
• details of anyone else who lives with you, including their income

Remember to provide details of your rent when you apply for Universal Credit so that your housing costs are included in your claim. Contact your landlord if you don’t know your rent charges.

This short video explains Universal Credit in action

Get support when applying for Universal Credit.

Call the Welfare Reform Advice Team on 0300 999 4606

Contact your landlord, or Housing Association.

Call the Universal Credit helpline on:

• telephone: 0800 328 5644
• textphone: 0345 600 0743

Contact CHAP - Community Housing Advocacy Project.

The DWP Universal Credit Service Centre will phone you to arrange an interview at your local Jobcentre. They will review your evidence and verify and approve your application.

Your application will be sent to a DWP Universal Credit Service Centre for processing. The DWP will send you a Universal Credit decision letter.

You will be given an online account to manage. This is known as a 'journal'. Keep your login details and password secure. The DWP will tell you how and when to access your journal.

If your application is successful, you’ll receive your first Universal Credit payment about five weeks after submitting your claim. Universal Credit is paid one month in arrears into a valid bank, building society, post office, or credit union account.

Universal Credit doesn’t include any Council Tax Reductions you may be entitled to. Find out about Council Tax Reduction.

If you have a change of circumstances (for example, a partner or dependent child moves in, you start work, you move house) you must report this to the DWP by:

• telephone: 0800 328 5644
• textphone: 0345 600 0743

Post proof of your circumstances to:

FREEPOST RTEH – LGUH – SZLG Universal Credit Handling Site B Wolverhampton WV99 1AJ