Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a Government benefit paid every month by the Department for Work and Pensions. Find out everything you need to know about Universal Credit.

Who can get Universal Credit

You might be able to get Universal Credit if you or your partner are of working age and you are not working or are on a low income. Find out more about being eligible for Universal Credit. 

If you are eligible you will usually have to apply for Universal Credit online at GOV.UK.

If you have received a letter about moving to Universal Credit

You may have received a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) telling you to move over to Universal Credit because your current benefits are ending.

You must apply for Universal Credit before the date stated on the letter to keep getting financial support.

Use the information and links below for applying and any support you may need. The Government has their own advice and guidance that you can use if you have received a letter.

How to apply for Universal Credit

You will need:

• to get online - you can use computers at our libraries, and you can also get help to make your claim at your local job centre and at 222 Upper Street
• a bank account - find out more about free basic bank accounts
• an email address - Citizens Advice can help you set up an email or bank account, call them on 080 0144 8444 or speak to one of their local advisers at Finsbury Park and Barnsbury Job Centres
• access to a phone
• proof of identity (ID) like a credit or debit card, driving license or passport
• to verify your ID online
• information about your income including other benefits, savings and investments
• information about your outgoings like rent and childcare
• details about anything that affects your ability to work.

Apply now

Help with applying

Help to Claim is a free service that can help you apply for Universal Credit and is run by Citizens Advice.

There is a free Universal Credit helpline - find out more on GOV.UK.

How Universal Credit works

Universal Credit replaces these six benefits which are also known as legacy benefits:

• Child Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income-based
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Working Tax Credit.

Universal Credit works differently from the legacy benefits.

• You can get Universal Credit if you are unemployed or working.
• You will usually get one payment each month, rather than weekly or fortnightly.
• Your rent will usually be paid directly to you as part of your monthly Universal Credit payment, not as a separate Housing Benefit payment. This means you need to pay rent to your landlord and any bills.

Find out how much you can get on Universal Credit. You can also find out more about how Universal Credit can help you on the Government website.

You will get you first payment in around five weeks after applying, so you must plan what you need to pay for in advance. This may take longer if your form is incomplete.

You will need to keep the DWP updated about your circumstances – you are responsible for this and it can affect your payments if you don't.

Budgeting

You will need to work out a budget. This is so you:

• have enough to last the five-week wait (or longer) between applying for Universal Credit and getting your first payment
• can pay your rent, Council Tax and other living costs every month
• are able to cope if your Universal Credit gives you less money than your legacy benefits - some people's benefits will go up when they move to Universal Credit and some will go down.

You can apply for an advance payment, which is repayable over 12 months but it means your monthly payments will be lower.

If you need help with budgeting, speak to your work coach at the job centre who can help you get independent advice.

You can also apply for Council Tax Support from us. 

People who are reaching pension age

If you reach state pension age, you can't get Universal Credit. You will need to make a new claim for Housing Benefit by completing a claim form and sending it to our Benefits Service as soon as you can.

You may also be eligible for Pension Credit, which helps with the cost of living and is paid separately from your State Pension.

Couples of both pension and working age

From 15 May 2019, couples where one member of the couple is receiving a pension and the other is under pension age will usually need to claim Universal Credit. Those already in receipt of Pension Credit or Housing Benefit on and before 14 May 2019 will continue to receive those benefits.

People who were already in receipt of benefits

If you already received one of the benefits that Universal Credit replaced from 20 June 2018, you will stay on that benefit until something about your circumstances change which means you need to claim Universal Credit. Find out more about moving to Universal Credit from other benefits.

If your circumstances stay the same, you may not be moved to Universal Credit until either you decide that you will be better off on Universal Credit and make a claim yourself, or the Department for Work and Pensions decide to move your legacy benefit over to Universal Credit. This may occur between now and late 2024. The Department of Work and Pensions will write to you with details about this if you are going to be affected. There's more information about moving to Universal Credit at GOV.UK.

Extra help with rent

If your Universal Credit includes housing costs and you have don't have enough to pay your whole rent because of the benefit cap, you may be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment. Our Income Maximisation (iMAX) team will be able to help you:

• call 020 7527 4990 and choose option 4
• email ClaimIt@islington.gov.uk. 

Financial help and support

• If you are worried about paying your rent or support with your living costs visit our money advice pages or free independent advice organisations.
• If you are facing extreme hardship the Resident Support Scheme may be able to help you.