Universal Credit is a benefit that supports working age people who are on a low income or out of work. In time it will replace the following six benefits:
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
If you're already receiving one of the six benefits above, you don't need to do anything, but if your circumstances change you may have to make a claim.
To check whether you're eligible to make a claim visit the GOV.UK website.
How to apply
Before you start making a claim make sure you've got the following to hand:
- your national insurance number
- details of a bank, building society or credit union account into which your claim will be paid
- your rent agreement (if you've got one)
- details of any savings and other capital
- details of any non-work income (for example income from an insurance plan)
- details of any other benefits you already receive
How we can help
We can help you to make claim by providing:
- Supported access at our 1st Stop shop: free access to computer facilities and the internet with a trained member of staff to help you make a claim
- Unsupported access in our libraries: free access to computer facilities and the internet but with no specialised help, although some of our library staff may be able to offer you some basic help to get started