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.

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 receives Carer’s Allowance for looking after you.

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

Rent Increases and Universal Credit

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.

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: