Universal Credit

Pages in Universal Credit

  1. 1. You are here: What is Universal Credit?
  2. 2. Getting ready for Universal Credit
  3. 3. Jemma's story

1. What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a scheme set up by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is a single monthly benefit payment for working age people who are on a low income or out of work. Although Universal Credit is run by DWP, not the Council, we are here to support you.

It replaces six current benefits –

  • housing benefit
  • child tax credit
  • income support
  • employment and support allowance
  • working tax credit
  • jobseeker’s allowance.

From the end of October 2018, more people in our borough will start being moved across to Universal Credit. This includes:

  • people who make their first claim for a benefit
  • people who have a change in circumstance that would traditionally have moved them from one benefit to another.

Everybody who remains on a current benefit will move over to Universal Credit in the next few years.  

You can find more information about Universal Credit at the gov.uk website.