Can I get Universal Credit?

Universal credit is one single monthly payment, paid to working-age people to help with living and housing costs. It does not cover council tax.

It is paid for by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and from 5 September 2018, it will replace most new claims for Housing Benefit in Torbay.

In time, it will replace several other benefits, including:

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

Existing Housing Benefit claims will transfer to Universal Credit when there is a relevant change of circumstance.

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Whether you can claim depends on where you live and your circumstances. Find out if you’re eligible by:

• Using the Citizens Advice eligibility checker
• Reading detailed guidance on eligibility on the Torbay Council website

Universal Credit payments are made up of a standard allowance and any extra amounts that apply to you. 

Standard allowance:

If your circumstances match one or more of the criteria benefit, you might get more benefit each month:

• Have children
• Have a disability or health condition which prevents you from working
• Need help paying your rent

How much you earn will affect the total amount of Universal Credit you get.

Your circumstances will be assessed each month, so what you’re paid may change.

Also, the benefit cap may limit the total amount of benefit you receive.

If you are eligible, you may get extra benefit on top of the standard allowance.

Please note that you will only get an extra amount for more than 2 children if:

• You were already claiming for more than 2 children before 6 April 2017
• You’re renting a claim for more than 2 children that stopped within the past 6 months
• You meed criteria for certain other exceptions

You might get the extra amount if you start caring for another child, depending on when they were born and how many children you have.

You’ll get an extra amount for any disabled or severely disabled child, no matter how many children you have.

If you are eligible, you may get an extra benefit on top of the standard allowance.

If you’re employed, the amount of Universal Credit you receive will depend on your earnings. 

The payment will reduce gradually as you earn more – for every £1 you earn, your payment reduces by 63p.

There is no limit to how many hours you can work.

Use a benefits calculator to see how increasing your hours or starting a new job could affect what you get.

You can earn a certain amount before your Universal Credit is reduced if you or your partner are either:

• Responsible for a child or young person
• Living with a disability or health condition that affects your ability to work

This is called a ‘work allowance’. This will be lower if you also get help with housing costs.

Universal Credit is paid once a month, usually into your bank, building society or credit union account.

If you are not able to open a bank, building society or credit union account, call the Universal Credit helpline to arrange a different way of getting paid.

Your payment can include an amount for housing, which you’ll usually need to pay to your landlord.

Your first payment

It usually takes  five weeks to get your first payment. This is made up of a one month assessment period and up to 7 days for the payment to reach your account

Example:

You make a new Universal Credit claim on 1 September

Your first assessment period runs for one month to 30 September, with a new assessment period beginning on 1 October.

You get paid on 7 October and on the 7th of each month after that.

If you need help with your living costs while you wait for your first payment, you can apply for an advance.

You need to apply for Universal Credit online.

You must apply as a couple if you and your partner live together. You do not need to be married.

After you apply, you must contact your local Jobcentre Plus within 7 days to make an appointment with a work coach.

You will not get Universal Credit if you do not attend the appointment.

For help with your claim, contact the Universal Credit helpline directly:

Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

If you do not provide the right information when you apply, it might affect when you get paid or how much you get.

To claim Universal Credit, you will need:

• Your bank, building society or credit union account details (call the Universal Credit helpline if you do not have one)
• An email address
• Your National Insurance number
• Information about your housing situation (e.g. how much rent you pay)
• Details of your income (e.g. payslips)
• Details of savings and investments (e.g. shares or a property that you rent out)
• Details of how much you pay for childcare if you’re applying for help with childcare costs.

You will also need to verify your identity online. You’ll need proof of identity for this, for example:

• Driving licence
• Passport
• Debit or credit card