Getting ready for Universal Credit

Transcription

1 Getting ready for Universal Credit

2 Contents About Universal Credit 1 Claiming Universal Credit 4 Payments & Budgeting 5

3 About Universal Credit What is Universal Credit? Universal Credit is a single monthly payment designed to support people of working age who are on a low income or out of work. It will replace the following benefits: Income-based Jobseeker s Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Child Tax Credit Working Tax Credit Housing Benefit The amount of Universal Credit payable is worked out each month and takes account of income, rent, household, and personal circumstances. Universal Credit will give you the support you need to prepare for work, to move into work, or earn more. In return for this support, it is your responsibility to do everything you can to find work or increase your earnings. This is called a claimant commitment Universal Credit includes a housing element that will replace Housing Benefit. This is paid direct to you and you are responsible for paying your rent to your landlord. Key features of Universal Credit It needs to be claimed online. It is paid via one single monthly payment. The payment, which includes housing costs, is normally paid directly into your bank account, and it is your responsibility to pay your rent from this. It is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) not the Council. All other benefits not included in Universal Credit will continue to be paid as usual. Council Tax Support will not be dealt with by the DWP. Claims for Council Tax Support will still need to be made directly to the Council. When is it being introduced? Universal Credit is being introduced in stages. Whether you can claim it or not will depend on where you live and your personal circumstances. In the Wakefield district, only newly unemployed single people from 18 April 2016 will need to claim Universal Credit. It replaces Jobseeker s Allowance (JSA) Universal Credit will gradually be rolled out to more groups of people - including those who already receive any of the benefits being replaced - over the next few years. 1

4 What does it mean for me? If you are already on benefits If you already get one of the six benefits that will eventually be replaced by Universal Credit you will carry on receiving these benefits until: You need to make a new claim for Jobseekers Allowance; or Universal Credit is extended to other groups. When this happens, you will get a letter from the DWP telling you what you need to do next. You are not affected by Universal Credit if you are of Pension Credit age. You will continue to receive Pension Credit and Housing Benefit instead. To check if you are of Pension Credit age, visit calculate-state-pension If you live in supported/exempt accommodation, your housing costs will not be covered by Universal Credit and so you will continue to receive Housing Benefit even if your other benefits change. If you receive Council Tax Support, this will not be affected until you start to get Universal Credit. Council Tax Support will continue to be assessed by the Council, so when you begin to get Universal Credit you will need to report this to the Revenues and Benefits Service so any Council Tax Support can be recalculated. If you are not currently receiving benefit From 18 April 2016 there will be two systems in place for people who are on a low income and need help paying their rent - Universal Credit and Housing Benefit. To start with, only single people (with some exceptions) making a new claim for Jobseekers Allowance will be able to claim Universal Credit. To be eligible for Universal Credit you must: be a British citizen with a National Insurance number be fit for work be aged between 18 years and 60 years and six months have at least one suitable account that DWP can pay your money into have lived in the UK for the last two years, and not have been abroad for more than four weeks continuously during that time not be homeless, in supported or temporary accommodation, nor a homeowner not be pregnant nor have given birth within the last 15 weeks not be awaiting a decision on a claim for Jobseeker s Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support (IS), Housing Benefit (HB), Child Tax Credit (CTC) or Working Tax Credit (WTC) 2

5 not have any caring responsibilities (such as for a disabled person) not be responsible for a young person under 20 who is in non-advanced education or training not be self-employed, a company director or part of a limited liability partnership not be in education or on a training course of any kind not have a person acting on your behalf over your claim not live in the same household as a member of the regular or reserve forces who is away on duty not be required to pay child maintenance via the Child Support Agency not have savings in excess of 6,000 This list is subject to change. If you are unsure whether to claim Universal Credit or Housing Benefit you should make a claim for Universal Credit at universal-credit What can I do to prepare for Universal Credit? There are some things you can do that will help you get ready for Universal Credit. Get online People will need to make their claim online. This means you ll need to be able to use the internet. If you don t know how to use a computer or the internet, you can learn how by taking a beginners course at a UK Online centre. Call to find a centre near you. If you can use a computer but aren t confident using the internet, you could try the free Online Basics course at We can help you make a claim if you need further support. Open a suitable bank account To receive a Universal Credit payment you need to have a Bank, Building Society, Post Office or Credit Union account. Check that your account will let you set up regular payments for your rent and other bills. For example, you can t make regular payments from a Post Office account. Leeds City Credit Union can help you open a bank account that will accept Universal Credit. For more information call or visit leedscitycreditunion.co.uk 3

6 Claiming Universal Credit How do I claim Universal Credit? There are a number of steps involved in making a claim. You will need to: Visit Complete and submit the online form Once a claim has been submitted, the Jobcentre will ring you to make an appointment with a work coach You will need to attend the appointment, supply any evidence required and agree to a claimant commitment What if I need help to make a claim for Universal Credit? If you need help to make a claim you can visit our Customer Access Point at: Wakefield One, Burton Street, Wakefield, WF1 2DD Or call us on I haven t got access to the internet - what do I do? All libraries across the Wakefield district provide free internet access to library members. For more information on how to become a member visit your local library. You can also use your own devices in all Wakefield Council libraries using Wi-Fi. Library Service staff are unable to provide assistance to people who are not able to make a claim themselves. 4

7 Payments and Budgeting How will I be paid? Universal Credit will be paid monthly in arrears into your bank account. If you get help with your rent, this will be included in your monthly payment - you ll then need to pay your landlord. If you live with your partner, and you are both eligible, you will receive one monthly joint payment. You can also get free and impartial money advice and information from the Money Advice Service by visiting www. moneyadviceservice.org.uk. Where can I get more information? For more information about Universal Credit, visit or contact the Universal Credit Service Centre on I think I might struggle with budgeting - what should I do? Budgeting support is offered when people first claim or move onto Universal Credit. This can include money advice, or depending on individual circumstances an advance of benefit. For those not in arrears with their rent but who may benefit from some budgeting advice, the DWP can refer to to the Council who will also offer Personal Budgeting Support. In exceptional circumstances, the DWP can consider an alternative payment arrangement, for example having a payment made to your landlord, or more frequent payments. If you have any concerns, speak to your work coach. 5

8 Designed and Produced by Wakefield Council, Communications 03/16