Universal Credit

When is Universal credit coming to Gosport?

Universal credit will be rolled out in Gosport from 28th November 2018, from this date any new claims will be directed to universal credit.

What is Universal credit?

Universal credit is a new benefit being introduced across the UK, replacing current benefits programmes such as income-based jobseeker's allowance, support allowance, housing benefit and child tax credit. Universal credit can be claimed by those in and out of work.

There are two components designed to increase the incentive for people to work more:

- The work allowance – the amount some claimants are allowed to earn before universal credit is reduced. Work allowances are only for people with children and people with limited capability for work due to ill-health or disability.

- The taper rate –earnings above your work allowance, are deducted from universal credit amounts at the rate of 63 per cent – i.e., your universal credit amount is reduced by 63p for every £1 of earnings above a certain level.

Claimants paid through PAYE don't need to report changes in their earnings – the system picks these up and adjusts universal credit payments as needed. Self-employed claimants may be assumed to have a certain level of earnings, equal to the minimum wage for the hours they are expected to work. Self-employed people have to report profits every month.

Claims for universal credit normally need to be made and managed online, and couples must make a joint claim. Payments are usually made monthly, and include the amounts for rent; except where the claimant lives in certain categories of housing.

More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit.

Where can I find support for dealing with Universal credit?

The new Help to Claim service will provide free, confidential and impartial support to help people make a Universal Credit claim.

People using the service can get advice on anything to do with applying for the benefit, including gathering the required evidence, filling in the application or preparing for their first job centre appointment.

Support can be accessed online, over the phone and face-to-face through local Citizens Advice bureaus. For more information please visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/helptoclaim/.

Citizens Advice Gosport:

http://www.gosportcab.org.uk/

08444 111306

Universal Credit helpline:

If you need help with your claim call:

Telephone: 0800 328 9344
Textphone: 0800 328 1344

If you already have an online account and journal you should call:

Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344

Understanding Universal Credit:

https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/

Universal Credit & You:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-you