Universal Credit is designed to support individuals and families with living costs, but understanding what you can claim and how it works can be confusing. In this guide, we break down the benefits included in Universal Credit, eligibility requirements and tips to help you make the most of your claim.
Moving From Legacy Benefits to Universal Credit
What Are Legacy Benefits?
Legacy benefits are the older benefits that Universal Credit has gradually replaced. These include Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Universal Credit combines several benefits into one monthly payment, making it simpler for many people to manage their support. If you are still receiving a legacy benefit, you should not make a new Universal Credit claim unless you have been advised to do so, as moving over can affect the amount you receive.
Many claimants are now being moved across automatically as part of the government’s managed migration process.
Managed Migration Explained
Managed migration is the process of moving people from legacy benefits onto Universal Credit. If you are affected, you should receive a Migration Notice letter from the Department for Work and Pensions explaining what you need to do and when you need to claim Universal Credit by.
It is important not to ignore this letter. If you miss the deadline, your existing benefits could stop. In many cases, transitional protection is available which may help ensure you do not immediately lose money when you move across to Universal Credit, provided your circumstances stay the same.
If you are unsure about the migration process or worried about how it could affect your finances, independent advice services such as Citizens Advice can help you understand your options before making a claim.
Universal Credit Payments and Financial Support
You Don’t Have to Wait to Get Paid
As the Universal Credit benefit is paid in arrears many would-be claimants are concerned that they will be left with no money while they wait for their first payment. Don’t let this put you off, you can request an upfront advance to help with the transition period. The government have paid more than one million new claims advances, getting hundreds of millions of pounds to those in urgent need within days of their claim.
Budgeting Advances for Unexpected Costs
For those out of the blue expenses and household emergencies, as a Universal Credit claimant you could get help towards these unforeseen costs under what is known as a Budgeting Advance.
You could claim up to £348 if you are single, £464 if you are part of a couple or up to £812 if you have children. This is a loan and so does need to be paid back from your monthly Universal Credit payments. If you stop receiving Universal Credit you will still need to repay the loan.
To claim a Budgeting Advance, you will need to contact your local Jobcentre Plus work coach.
Alternative Payment Arrangements (APA) for Rent Support
Juggling the bills and prioritising who to pay first is not easy. If you are struggling to juggle it all and are missing rent payments, you or your landlord could apply for an APA, Alternative Payment Arrangement. This means that your rent payment gets deducted from your Universal Credit payment and sent directly to your landlord, so you have one less thing to worry about.
Help with Everyday Living Costs
Support with Childcare Costs
If you are in work and on Universal Credit you can reclaim up to 85% of your childcare costs.
You can claim up to £1,071.09 per month if you have one child and up to £1,836.16 if you have two or more children.
To reclaim your childcare costs, you need to tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) how much you paid in childcare costs by the end of the assessment period after you have paid the childcare charges.
This does mean you need to have paid the childcare changes yourself first in order to claim the money back. The Government has been under pressure to change the rule for Universal Credit claimants struggling to find the upfront cash themselves but currently the rule still stands, at least for now, so it is important to consider how you will pay the first set of costs in order to claim them back.
Reducing Your Council Tax Bills
If you're on Universal Credit your council tax bill could be reduced.
What your council tax bill is reduced by all depends on your household income, whether you have children, whether you're in work, and whether you own your home or rent it but it doesn’t hurt to ask so it is definitely worth checking to see if you can claim a reduction.
Different locations have varying schemes available so you will need to check the government website to find out if your local council offers a council tax reduction - sometimes known as council tax support and how you can apply.
Public Transport & Travel Discounts
If you are claiming Universal Credit, you may be entitled to discounted travel depending on where you live. Many local councils and transport providers offer reduced fare schemes, discounted bus passes or railcard savings for people on low incomes.
In some areas, Jobcentre Plus may also be able to help with travel costs for interviews, training courses or starting a new job through the Flexible Support Fund. This can include help towards bus fares, train tickets or fuel costs.
Young people aged 18 to 30 who are claiming Universal Credit may also qualify for discounted rail travel through selected railcard schemes. Check with your local transport provider or ask your work coach what support may be available in your area.
Extra Support for Families and Parents
Sure Start Maternity Grants
Prams, car seats, clothes and nappies it soon adds up and a Sure Start Maternity grant could help. If you are claiming Universal Credit and expecting your first child or a multiple birth and have children already, you can claim a one-off payment of £500.
This is a grant not a loan so it doesn’t have to be paid back, and it will not affect your benefits, but you must claim the grant within 11 weeks of the baby’s due date or within six months after the baby’s birth.
1. To apply for a Sure Start Maternity grant, print out and fill in the Sure Start Maternity Grant (SF100) claim form. A health professional (such as a doctor or midwife) must also sign your claim form.
2. Post it to “Freepost DWP SSMG” - you do not need a postcode or a stamp.
Return to Work Support
Returning to work after a period of unemployment can feel daunting, but Universal Credit includes support designed to help you get back into employment. Work coaches at Jobcentre Plus can help with CV writing, interview preparation, training opportunities and job searching.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also be able to access free training courses, sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs), skills bootcamps and support with digital skills.
If health conditions or disabilities make working more difficult, additional support may also be available through Access to Work or specialist employment programmes designed to help people move into sustainable employment.
Additional Financial Support
Flexible Support Fund Grants
The Flexible Support Fund grant is intended to help cover the costs that starting work can bring. Clothing, uniform and travelling to interviews can soon add up and for many getting some help with these upfront costs can often mean the difference between getting back into work and not.
The Flexible Support Fund is not a loan; it is a grant that doesn’t have to be paid back and does not affect your monthly benefit payment.
The Flexible Support Fund is awarded by the Jobcentre Plus staff so get in touch with your local Jobcentre Plus and see if you are eligible.
Help to Save Bonus
If there was ever an incentive to start saving this could be it. Help to Save is a type of government backed savings account for those entitled to Working Tax Credit or claiming Universal Credit. If you pay into a Help to Save account, you will get a bonus of 50p for every £1 you save.
You can save between £1 and £50 each calendar month but you do not have to pay money in every month. The bonus is paid out in two parts, the first after two years and second after four years. To apply for the Help to Save scheme, visit the government website.
Where to Get More Universal Credit Advice
If you are not yet claiming Universal Credit, are unsure if you are eligible for help or want to switch from legacy benefits to claiming Universal Credit, you can contact the Universal Credit hotline on 0800 328 5644 or visit the Understanding Universal Credit website.
