1/5/21: Your guide to Universal Credit
1 May 2021
As a result of the pandemic, over 5.5 million people have been negatively impacted and are now having to claim Universal Credit, a payment to help with your living costs.
Universal Credit is paid monthly – or twice a month for some people in Scotland – and you may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work. It replaces the following benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
If you currently get any of these benefits, you do not need to do anything unless:
- you have a change of circumstances you need to report, or
- the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) contacts you about moving to Universal Credit.
If you get tax credits, they will stop when you or your partner applies for Universal Credit. Check how tax credits and Universal Credit affect each other.
If you’re struggling to navigate the system, the following guide helps to explain how Universal Credit works and how to claim: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit
If you need further assistance, you can call the free Universal Credit Helpline on 0800 328 9344.
