About Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a benefit for people of working age and for mixed aged couples (where one member of a couple is working age and the other member has reached Pension Credit age). It is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Universal Credit is paid monthly and usually includes help towards your housing costs. This means that an amount for rent will be paid to you instead of to your landlord; you will have to pay your landlord yourself. In exceptional circumstances part of your Universal Credit may be paid direct to your landlord.
If you live with your partner, there will be 1 monthly payment to both of you, so you will need to decide which account you would like your Universal Credit to be paid into each month.
You must make and manage your Universal Credit claim online. Information about how much you will be paid and reporting any changes of circumstance will be done online through your Universal Credit account.
Universal Credit replaces:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit - except Housing Benefit for Specified Accommodation and Temporary Accommodation
Universal Credit does not replace:
- Council Tax Support
- free school meals.
You must claim both of these separately: