Welfare and Support information
Information from the Department for Work and Pensions
The recent change to the way benefits are collected is happening. For those who have been receiving any of the below credits, please be aware that these are no longer separate benefits.
1. Child tax credit,
2. Housing benefit,
3. Working tax credit,
4. Income-related employment support allowance,
5. Income support or,
6. Income-based jobseekers allowance.
These benefits now fall under the umbrella benefit which is Universal Credit. If you are currently on one of the six mentioned credits, you will not be moved to Universal Credit until you change your current benefit, it is done by the migration team or you apply for a new credit, see more at https://ucmove.campaign.gov.uk/ or HERE.
Universal Credit is all online and stored on your journal. This means that it automatically updated to reduce the admin and delays with getting your credit to you.
Eligibility
To claim you must:
• live in the UK
• be aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
• be under State Pension age
• have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments
• satisfy residence and presence check
How to claim https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim
If you live with your partner, you will both need to create accounts. You’ll link them together when you claim. You cannot claim by yourself.
If you cannot claim online, you can claim by phone through the Universal Credit helpline. Universal Credit helpline Telephone: 0800 328 5644 Textphone: 0800 328 1344
If someone struggles making a claim, they can get support from Citizens Advice’s. To calculate what you could receive, you can use an independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator give you an estimate of the benefits: https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
Any barriers or complex needs, including literacy needs or using technology, need to be stated in your first meeting. This will stay on your file and the case worker assigned will ensure they do as much as they can to help.
Being transparent at the beginning can avoid sanctions e.g. if appointments are missed for reasons such as, not seeing it online and they know technology and reading is difficult for you, the sanction may not happen.
Advances and Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs)
There are new claim advances and budgeting advances to help those who are struggling with regular work or those who cannot manage without any payment.
There are also Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs) to help those who struggle with finance, multiple landlords or those who cannot be financially independent:
• addiction problems • rent arrears • mental health issues • learning difficulties
• previously homeless
You can see the different tiers for APAs HERE.
Claimant Commitment
If you need to seek support, you must ensure that you commit to the process and guidelines. Including providing the relevant information that is needed.
Health including Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) are now under the umbrella of Universal Credit and assessments can be done online for this credit.
Sanctions
What is a sanction?
A sanction is a financial reduction that is applied on a Universal Credit claimant who:
• Does not comply with their work-related requirements and does not provide a good reason
• Fails to attend a mandatory appointment
• Leaves work voluntarily • Loses pay without good reason
• Ceases work or loses pay due to misconduct
To avoid facing sanctions, relay all information in your journal or to your case worker in the first meeting. You can disagree with a sanction that has been made in Mandatory Reconsideration (MR), this will assess the situation and the reason for the reduction.
Home Visits
Home visits are available so that the claimants situation can be assessed properly, or if it is a complex one.
A visit can be arranged for you if you need extra help to claim benefits, for example because you:
• have complex needs
• are disabled
• are a vulnerable young person making a claim for the first time
• have nobody else to support you
• cannot claim benefits in any other way
You must call the helpline to ask for one to be arranged.
Universal Credit helpline Telephone: 0800 328 5644 Textphone: 0800 328 1344