Universal Credit

Universal Credit - What is it?

Universal Credit is a monthly payment, for people of working age, who are out of work or working and on a low income. Universal Credit replaces the following 6 benefits:-

Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
Housing Benefit
Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
Income Support
Employment & Support Allowance (Income Related)

You must be aged 18 or over and under the qualifying age for Pension Credit (PC) in order to claim Universal Credit. Anyone making a new benefit claim, or updating a current claim, will be moved on to Universal Credit.

If you’re getting any of these benefits, you do not need to do anything unless either:

your circumstances change;
you get a letter called a ‘Migration Notice’ telling you that you must claim Universal Credit.

Tax Credits

Over the course of the 2023/2024 financial year, DWP wrote to those claiming Working Tax Credit and/or Child Tax Credit to ask them to claim Universal Credit. If you currently receive tax credits, you’ll still need to claim by the date in your letter even if you’ve just renewed your tax credits.

What is Managed Migration? Will it affect me?

Managed migration is the final phase of the rollout of Universal Credit which is anticipated to complete by the end of 2029.

This will affect those claiming:

Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Income-based Employment Support Allowance (ESA)

From April 2024, you’ll receive a letter in the post from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) It is important that you do not do anything until you receive your letter. This is called a Universal Credit Migration Notice and it tells you when you need to move to Universal Credit.

You will not be moved automatically and you must claim Universal Credit by the deadline date given in your letter. The deadline date for applying is 3 months from the date the letter is sent out. Look out for your letter - this letter will explain what you will have to do to claim UC and the deadline by which you must have applied and completed your application to continue receiving financial support.

Please note that affected legacy benefits will end by the deadline given in the Migration Notice even if you do not apply for UC.

Guidance is available for those who have received a Migration Notice.

How to Claim Universal Credit

You will need to apply and manage your Universal Credit claim online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit

When claiming you will need to:

Provide your bank account details. If you need support setting up a bank account, we can help.
Have your email address and be able to go online - you will need to complete your application and update your journal online.
Have proof of your rent so that your housing costs are included in your claim (this is your Housing Element and it replaces Housing Benefit).

If you need assistance with applying or managing you claim online please contact your Housing Officer as soon as possible. If you are unsure who your Housing Officer is please contact us on 0141 560 6000.

Remember

It’s up to you to pay your rent. We can help you budget and set up a direct debit payment.
If your circumstances change and you need to claim Universal Credit, do it quickly so your first payment isn’t delayed. We will help you make a claim and offer lots of support till your first payment comes in.

Paying Your Rent and Universal Credit

It is the responsibility of all tenants to ensure that rent is paid to ng homes and you can ensure that this happens on a regular and ongoing basis by setting up a direct debit to pay your rent.

In Scotland, all new claimants for Universal Credit can ask for their Housing Element (the sum that the DWP agrees to pay towards rent as part of your Universal Credit) to be paid directly from the DWP to ng homes. You can also discuss these options with your Work Coach at the Job Centre.

Universal Credit – Payment Frequency

Universal Credit is paid monthly into your bank account however all new claimants in Scotland are able to ask to receive smaller payments twice per calendar month instead of a single monthly payment. Please consider this if you feel that it would help you to manage your money more effectively.

You'll find this option in your online journal at the start of your second assessment period.

Remember – If you make a claim for Universal Credit it will normally take at least five to six weeks until your first payment is made. If this will cause you financial difficulties you will be able to request an advance payment up to the anticipated amount of your first payment. This will be in the form of an interest free sum repayable over a period of up to a year.

If you require any help, the Universal Credit Helpline is 0800 328 9344. Calls to this number are free of charge.

Additional Resources