Universal Credit

Mixed age couples:

From 15th May 2019 – If you are part of a couple and one of you is under State Pension Age, you will no longer be able to make a new claim for Pension Credit or Housing Benefit.

Instead you must claim Universal Credit and may be asked to prepare or look for work as a condition of receiving payment, however there are some exceptions.   

You will not be affected if you are already receiving Pension Credit or Pension Age Housing Benefit.

If you think you may be entitled to Pension credit, you should consider making a claim before 15th May 2019 or contact Dawn @ Welfare Rights Service for advice on backdating rules for claims made on or before 13th August 2019. 

Universal Credit & Severe Disability Premium

Some people are being wrongly advised by government departments to claim UC. If you are receiving a Severe Disability Premium you should not claim Universal Credit.

You may be entitled to this additional premium if you receive PIP/DLA/AA. Live on your own and no-one claims Carer’s Allowance for looking after you.

For further advice contact our in-house Welfare Rights Adviser.  

Rent Increases and Universal Credit

Rents will increase from 1st April 2019.

If you are a Universal Credit Claimant you will be expected to verify the amount of your new rent charge. If you do not, your housing cost element will be paid at the old rent charge until you do.

We are notifying all tenants of their new rent charge by letter in February 2019.

You can update the new rent charge in your UC online Journal.

Please refer to our latest leaflet for the most recent news on Universal Credit.

Find out more about how to make a claim for Universal Credit by watching the video link below: