Help & Support

• Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs.
• It replaces lots of existing benefits: Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Working Tax Credit.
• It's being introduced in stages across the UK for working age people and will replace all legacy benefits by 2029. If you claim existing benefits, you don't need to do anything unless you have a change in circumstance or you hear from the DWP that you're moving to Universal Credit
• Tax credits are first to move over by the end of 2024 
• If you’re looking to make a new claim, you can check if you’re eligible by completing our online benefit calculator.  
• Claiming Universal Credit is usually done online, but if you need support, you can call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

• You'll be paid once a month into your bank. This includes your rent money - you'll need a bank account and have to make arrangements to pay all of your rent. The easiest way to pay is to set up a direct debit to come out of your bank account.
• If you want to, you can ask to have your rent paid to us directly – let your work coach know or add a note to your home page on your journal. You can check how much your rent is on your online account.
• You’ll have to wait 1 month 7 days for your first payment - and most of your benefits being replaced will stop immediately. You can apply for an advance, but you have to pay this back over a 12 month period so make sure you only claim what you need - phone 03456 004272 to apply.
• You need to apply and manage your claim online - get in touch if you need help with the application or need support to improve your digital skills.
• Remember to claim Council Tax Support - this isn't included in your Universal Credit payment. Claim through your council if you're eligible.
• Are you Pension Credit age? If you're part of a couple and one of you is of pension age, you might be better off claiming Pension Credit instead of Universal Credit. If you’re unsure, please get in touch.
• To find out more, please visit our website, the government website or the Citizen's Advice website.

Your rent is charged weekly, and you can either pay us weekly or monthly. If you choose to pay us monthly, you’ll need to multiply the weekly rent by 52 and then divide it by 12. 

What happens when there’s a change to the amount of rent I pay?
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) will send you a ‘to do’ on your Universal Credit account in April and this is where you let them know the new rent charge. If you move and the rent changes, you’ll need to report your change in circumstances.

We have a team ready to help you make a claim or work out which benefits you're entitled to. We can also help you with any money worries. Please get in touch and ask to speak to tenancy support.