Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs.
You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work. You can apply, find out if you are eligible, see how much you can expect to receive, and how the money is paid to you, on the gov.uk website.
Universal Credit Migration
Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits and tax credits:
- 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’re getting any of these benefits or tax credits, you do not need to do anything unless either:
- your circumstances change
- you get a letter called a ‘Migration Notice’ telling you that you must claim Universal Credit
If you get a Migration Notice, you must move to Universal Credit within 3 months to keep getting financial support.
Please note you will receive a letter, not a leaflet. If you receive a leaflet about changing to Universal Credit, you do not need to change yet. If you change too early, you will lose transitional protection and you may get less money.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Your housing benefit and other benefits will stop. As Universal Credit replaces housing benefit, any help with your housing costs is paid to you within your Universal Credit payment. You will need to pay your rent to your landlord.
- Agree a Claimant Commitment. This will outline what you need to do in exchange for receiving Universal Credit. No payment of Universal credit will be made until this commitment has been accepted.
- Universal Credit will be paid to you. Payments will be made monthly. However, your first payment will take 5 weeks after submitting a claim. Our Inclusion Advisors can help you check that it is correct.
- Monitor your Universal Credit. Universal Credit is claimed online and managed through an online journal. Log in to your journal to see if you have any ‘to-dos’, report any changes or childcare payments, and check your statements. Watch for texts and emails, and make sure you respond promptly. You will be assigned a ‘work coach’ who will be your Universal Credit point of contact.
2. What happens if you work?
Universal Credit works differently to Tax Credits: it's a monthly benefit based on your income. Your payment is based on the wages you receive during each Monthly Assessment Period. This means payments can vary.
3. What if I am unable to make a claim by the deadline?
If you miss the deadline stated in your letter, your current benefits will end on that date. However, if you are unable to make the deadline because you need more time to get advice, or to get the information needed to make a successful claim, you can ask for an extension. To ask for an extension, call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Migration Notice Helpline: 0800 169 0328.
4. I’ve not received a letter, but a friend has. Should I make a claim?
No. You should not make a claim until you personally receive your Migration Notice letter. If you claim before you receive your letter, you will not be entitled to any transitional protection.
5. An online calculator says I will be worse off on Universal Credit, or not entitled to any. Do I still have to claim?
If you have received a Migration Notice, then you must make claim. However, your entitlement may be different to what the calculator has told you. Online calculators do not always account for the transitional protection you should receive. This means you may not get any less money.
6. Do I need to claim transitional protection separately?
No. If you make a successful claim by the deadline and you are entitled to transitional protection, you will receive this automatically.
7. I am working. Do I still have to complete a Claimant Commitment?
Yes. All Universal Credit claimants have to complete a Claimant Commitment. If you are working full-time, you should not be expected to be looking for more work.
8. If I need an advance, how will this affect my Universal Credit payments?
An advance is a loan. You can request an advance payment, but this will need to be paid back in instalments over 24 months. This means that for those 24 months you will receive less money. Advances are generally taken back at 25% of your standard allowance. When you ask for an advance, you will be informed how it will be taken back and for how long. Deductions can also be taken from your Universal Credit if you have an outstanding debt with the DWP.
9. I struggle with managing my money and being paid monthly is worrying me. Can I be paid more often?
If you struggle with monthly payments and the DWP feel it is in your best interest, you can be paid more frequently. You can request this on your journal or speak to your work coach.
10. My wages vary each month. How quickly will my payment be adjusted?
Your entitlement to Universal Credit is assessed at the end of each Monthly Assessment Period. Universal Credit will pick up any changes, such as fluctuating wages over the previous month. For example, if your income increases, you may get a smaller payment the following month. If your income decreases, you may receive a higher payment the following month.
11. I have no access to the internet. How can I make a claim?
You can ring Universal credit to make an offline claim. You will need to explain why you cannot manage and make a claim online.
12. Will my Council Tax reduction be adjusted?
Council Tax support needs to be claimed separately, by calling 0300 1234 121.
13. I have received a letter, but I’m not sure if it is a Migration Notice?
If the letter states a deadline to claim Universal Credit, then it is a Migration Notice letter. It will read: “This is a migration notice issued under regulation 44 of the Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2014.”
Here's an example migration letter:
If you have any further questions, call the DWP Migration Notice Helpline on 0800 169 0328. Calls are free from mobiles and landlines. Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
