Eastlands Homes

10/25/2012

Universal Credit is a new type of financial support for people of working age who are looking for work or on a low income. It's being introduced gradually between April 2013 and 2018.

Universal Credit went live at Longsight and Rusholme Jobcentres on the 10 November 2014 and Openshaw Jobcentre on the 17 November 2014.

While Universal Credit is being phased in only a limited group of people will be affected. In east Manchester the only people who are currently affected by Universal are single people or couples with no children who are newly out of work and who are still fit to work.

If you are already claiming any of the benefits that Universal Credit is replacing (listed below), you will not be affected by Universal Credit right now and should continue claiming your current benefits until you are advised to do otherwise by the Department of Work and Pensions.

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit brings together 6 existing benefits and replaces them with a single monthly payment

It is replacing the following:

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

Example If you are a single person of working age living in Rusholme and were unemployed and actively seeking work, prior to the 10 November 2014 you would have been eligible to claim Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit to help with your rent. Now that Universal Credit has been introduced a single person in the same situation would now claim Universal Credit rather than Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit. The Universal Credit payment will include a housing element if the claimant is eligible to pay rent.

What is different about Universal Credit?

How to claim Universal Credit will generally be managed online. You make your claim online, then check on your payments and updates through your online account.
If you are eligible to claim Universal Credit, you should make your claim online on the GOV.UK website.

You will need certain information before starting your claim for Universal Credit. This includes details of your rent payments. Before starting your claim for Universal Credit please contact us so we can provide you with the information needed to complete your claim.

If you need help claiming online you can contact the Universal Credit Helpline

You can also contact the Money Matters Team at Eastlands Homes via your local Eastline number if you require any assistance with your claim.

Monthly Payments - If you claim Universal Credit you will receive one monthly payment which will usually be paid into a bank or building society account

First Payment - If your claim for Universal Credit is successful, you will usually get your first payment 1 month and 7 days after you made your claim.

Rent Payments - If you get help with your housing costs e.g were previously getting housing benefit, this will now be included in the single monthly payment of Universal Credit and will be paid directly to you. It will be your responsibility to ensure your rent is paid.

If you would like to discuss the different options available for paying your rent please contact us via your local Eastline number.

Couple Claims - If you and your partner are both eligible for Universal Credit, you will get one monthly payment for the household.

Getting Ready for Universal Credit?

Even if youre not likely to be affected straight away, there are things you can do now to make sure you are prepared for Universal Credit. Watch the for some useful tips on getting ready for Universal Credit.

Click here to read the Money Advice Service Action Plan to make sure you are ready for Universal Credit

Useful Links
Universal Credit Frequently Asked Questions

Local Library Directory for centres which offer free computer access
Money Advice Service

PDF File Universal Credit Toolkit - Work (pdf, 138 KB)