Universal credit

Contents of page

• What is Universal Credit?
• Can I claim Universal Credit?
• How do I claim Universal Credit?
• Get help to claim from Citizens Advice Bureau
• Get help to claim from Wakefield Council
• Get help to claim from WDH
• Advance Payments of Universal Credit
• Alternative Payment Arrangements
• Managing your money
• Money Smart
• The Money Advice Service
• Additional support

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is designed to assist working-age individuals with low incomes or those who are unemployed. This benefit aims to provide support for people to prepare for work, find employment, or increase their earnings.

The following benefits and tax credits are ending and being replaced by Universal Credit, as a single monthly payment:

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

From April 2024, the DWP is writing to some people who receive these benefits to let them know that they need to claim Universal Credit instead. This letter - called a Migration Notice – explains what you need to do and when. It also provides information on the help available to continue receiving support from the government.

Find out when you’re likely to be asked to move to Universal Credit.

It is important that you do not do anything until you receive your letter. You will not be moved automatically. Once you’ve received your Universal Credit Migration Notice letter, you’ll need to make a claim for Universal Credit to continue to get financial support. There will be a deadline in your letter. This is 3 months from the date the letter was sent out.

Your current benefits will end as soon as you submit your claim for Universal Credit, and you will not be able to go back to your existing benefit once you have claimed.

Can I claim Universal Credit?

If you are of Pension Credit age, Universal Credit will not affect you. However, if you have a partner who has not yet reached Pension Credit age and they need to claim one of the above benefits, they will have to claim Universal Credit instead.

If you need to make a new claim for any of the above benefits you will have to apply for Universal Credit instead.

If you live in supported accommodation (such as a hostel) you will still need to claim Housing Benefit to help with your housing costs.

More information about Universal Credit and how to claim can be found on the DWP website.

If you are not eligible to claim Universal Credit and need help with housing costs, you should apply for Housing Benefit instead. You can also visit GOV.UK for information about other benefits you can claim.

How do I claim Universal Credit?

If you are eligible to claim Universal Credit, you will need to apply online. Guidance on how to do this can be found on GOV.UK. If you need help to apply, help is available at various places across the district.

Get help to claim from Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice Wakefield District can support you to make a new claim for Universal Credit, from opening your account to receiving your first full payment.

Their trained advisers can help you to:

• set up your Universal Credit account
• complete your claim to-dos
• verify your identity
• make sure you're providing the right evidence to the Jobcentre
• understand what Universal Credit will mean for you

If you're not sure what help you need, contact them on:

Call: Freephone 0800 144 8 444 (England)
Visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk to email or speak to an adviser online
You can find more information on Universal Credit on their advice pages.

Get help to claim from Wakefield Council

You can get help to make a claim for Universal Credit in our Customer Access Point at Wakefield One, Burton Street, Wakefield, WF1 2DA. The opening times are 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

If you just need to use a computer, or need some help in using a computer, you can call in to any of our libraries. Please note that libraries can only provide help in getting you online – they cannot help with your actual claim for Universal Credit

• Library opening hours

Wakefield Council cannot help with questions about your Universal Credit entitlement or payments. You should discuss these issues with your Work Coach at your Job Centre or call the Universal Credit Helpline on 0800 328 9344.

Get help to claim from WDH

If you are a WDH tenant, you can get help in making a claim from WDH. Please telephone 01977 724651 to book an appointment or call into any of the following locations:

Advance Payments of Universal Credit

If you think that you will struggle while you are waiting for your first payment of Universal Credit, you can ask the DWP for a short-term advance.

More information

Alternative Payment Arrangements

You may be able to have your Universal Credit paid more frequently than monthly, or have it paid direct to your landlord. Speak to your Work Coach at the Job Centre to see if you are eligible for Alternative Payment Arrangements.

Managing your money

The following support is available to help you manage your money.

Money Smart

This is a free Council service to help you become smarter at managing your money and making the most of your income. Money Smart may be able to help you to:

• manage your money and help you save or control your debt
• access benefits
• reduce your fuel bills and other costs
• make your home warmer with home insulation and heating improvements
• get back into employment or improve your job skills

Contact the Money Smart Team now to find out more:

Telephone: 01924 307272

E-mail: moneysmart@wakefield.gov.uk

The Money Advice Service

The Money Advice Service offers free and impartial advice on how to manage your income. If you need to claim Universal Credit, or are already receiving it, their website has a lot of useful information and guidance that will help you make the most of your money.

More information about the Money Advice Service

Additional support

WDH offers help in managing your household budget through its Cash Wise team. This team provides support across the district to help you regain control of your finances. They can help you understand which payments are a priority, create a household budget, and access other services that suit your needs. This support can be especially helpful if you are applying for or receiving Universal Credit.

The Cash Wise website is a valuable resource that can boost your financial confidence. It offers information on:

• Universal Credit
• money management
• help with benefits
• healthy eating
• job advice

Website: www.getcashwise.co.uk

You can contact the team on the website or by calling 01977 724651, or you can call in to any of our Service Access Points shown here.

Information for landlords

More information about Universal Credit for landlords is available on the DWP website.