What you need to know about Universal Credit

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT UNIVERSAL CREDIT AND HOW IT WILL AFFECT YOU

The governments ongoing Welfare Reform programme means a reduction in income for many people. It’s important to find out how you could be affected so that you can start to organise your finances and avoid the risk of getting behind with your rent.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT IS COMING TOYOUR AREA SOON.

Universal Credit has been rolled outthrough many Job Centre Plus locationsalready and Worcester (October 2018)and Evesham (November 2018) will jointhem.

It is a new benefit to support you if you’reworking and on a low income or you’re out ofwork.

It replaces these benefits and tax credits thatyou might be getting now. If you receive any ofthese benefits, or you have a change in yourcircumstances you will be affected.

Universal Credit is going to replace:

Housing Benefit

Child Tax Credits

UniversalCredit

Income Support

WHEN WILL I MOVE ONTO UNIVERSAL CREDIT?

Universal Credit is being rolled out over several years. So far, anyone who is single with no children will go onto Universal Credit when they apply for benefits. Over the next few years, Universal Credit will be paid to all people out of work, on low incomes with or without dependents, and anyone who is unable to work due to illness or injury for a short or definite period of time.

HOW IT’S PAID TO CLAIMANTS

In the majority of cases, Universal Credit will be a single, monthly payment which is paid in arrears directly into the claimant’s account. Universal Credit will include housing costs, which means that you will be responsible for paying your rent directly to us as your landlord. Universal Credit can only be paid into a bank, building society, Post Office card account or current account with a credit union.

Working Tax Credit

Jobseekers Allowance

Employment & Support Allowance

THINGS TO DO NOW To get ready for Universal Credit:

• Your rent is your priority bill. By paying a little extra on your rent now you will protect yourself if your payment is delayed.

• Universal credit is claimed and managed online. If you don’t feel confident going online we can help direct you to help within your area.

• You will have to wait for over a month before you receive your money, make sure that you are covered.

• Universal credit payments are made in one monthly payment, you may have to change the way you manage your money each month. Draw up and work to a monthly budget. The Government’s Money Advice Service has a useful tool: www.moneyadviceservice. org.uk/en/tools/budget-planner

• Make sure you have a bank, building society, post office or credit union account that Universal Credit can be paid into, and from which you can pay rent and other bills via Direct Debit.

HOWEVER, SOME 18 TO 21 YEAR OLDS CAN STILL GET HELP WITH THEIR RENT:

People receiving the rent element of Universal Credit prior to 1 April 2017 will continue to receive help until they move off Universal Credit or cease to claim those housing costs.

• People who are responsible for a child or young person.

• Certain vulnerable people.

• People unable to live with their parents.

• Those claiming as a couple.

• People who are not subject to all workrelated requirements for receiving Universal Credit.

• People who are in work, subject to ‘minimum earnings’.

• People who have recently left work, subject to minimum earnings (in this case the help is available for a limited period).

GET AN ADVANCED PAYMENT OF UNIVERSAL CREDIT

If you need to you can apply for an advanced payment. Please consider this carefully as you will need to pay this back over a maximum of 12 months. The repayments will be automatically deducted from your Universal Credit payments, so only ask for what you really need.

18 TO 21 AND CLAIMING UNIVERSAL CREDIT?

Some 18 to 21 year olds claiming Universal Credit are not entitled to help with housing costs.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT WILL SOON BE LIVE FOR BENEFIT CLAIMANTS OF WORKING AGE IN YOUR AREA.

This will change how benefits are calculated and paid to you, and you need to act now.

Your rent is your priority, we can help if you are struggling. If you are a Rooftop Resident you can contact the income team on 01386 420800 or email: UC@rooftopgroup.org.

If you are not a Rooftop resident, or would like free independent advice, contact Citizens Advice by visiting www.citizensadvice.org.uk

If you are a single person with no dependents and no disabilities it will be unlikely that you will be able to claim Housing Benefit or the rent element of Universal Credit to cover your rent.

EDITION 91 SUMMER 2018 17