Universal Credit is benefit System provided by the UK Government for the people who has low income or Unemployed and many other reasons. There are 6 types of benefits given by the Government where claimants to actively seek work or fulfill other requirements to continue receiving payments. Let’s Discuss in Details∴
All About Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a benefit from the Department For Work and Pensions (DWP). Universal Credit works differently for unemployed or Low-Income people. It is payable for working or non-working people who have low monthly Incomes. It is payment for people under pension age or out of work. Unemployed people pay less, and working people get payment in a month. It has a Single Monthly Payment replacing the Following Benefits & Credit. Let’s Discuss:
⇒ income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
⇒ Working Tax Credit
⇒ Child Tax Credit
⇒ Housing Benefit
⇒ Income Support
⇒ income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
What is the Eligibility Criteria For Universal Credit:
There are Some conditions must be fulfilled to be eligible for Universal Credit. let’s Discuss∴
⇒ Must be Living in the UK. Be a British citizen or have Permission or Right to live in the United Kingdom
⇒ Out of Work
⇒ Should be 18+ or More
⇒ Under Pension Age:
⇒ Your income should not exceed £16000 or Less Savings & Investments.
⇒ Your rent
⇒ Your household size
⇒ Any children you have
⇒ Any disabilities or health conditions you have.
⇒ Caregivers
⇒ Housing Costs
How to Apply Online:
Follow the instructions step-by-step to apply online. Let’s Start∴
⇒ First, Go to the official Website – https://www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/register/account.
⇒ Next, you must Create an account by entering details like Username, Strong Password, & Questions & Answers for security purposes.
⇒ Lastly, Submit details of your income, Rent, household, etc., and Apply.
⇒ Note:- You can also apply offline by visiting the near Jobcentre Plus and submitting your application. After this, you can log in with this URL ⇒[ https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit ]to check the status of your application.
⇒ Next, You will have an interview with Jobcentre Plus. It will be within ten working days.
Note: You are to submit the information if you make any changes in the given circumstance to receive the right payment.
How Much Universal Credit Can We Get?
The amount of Credit you can receive depends on your Current Age, whether Employed or Unemployed, Single or Couple, whether you are a Child, your housing Situation
⇒ Single or Under 25 Age – Up to £311.88/Monthly
⇒ Single & Over 25 – Up to £393.45/Monthly
⇒ Couple & Under 25 – Upto £489.23/monthly (For both)
⇒ Couple & Under 25 – Upto £489.23/monthly (For both)
⇒ Couple & Over 25 – Upto £617.60/monthly (For both)
With Children: Additional amounts will be paid for each child you have.
You have to inform the (DWP) if anything is changing in the given Circumstances like Job, Unemployment, Retirement, Study, & More. DWP Calculates your current monthly income & Pays you according to your every month.
How to Claim for Universal Credit Online:
You can apply online if you meet all the eligibility criteria stated above. You First need to create an account & make a claim within 28 days of creating the account. If you don’t do that, you must follow the process again. If you are a Couple, then both partners need to create an account & make a claim. If you can’t apply online, Call the Helpline number (0800 328 5644).
What are the Things you Need to Apply:
There are some documents required to apply for Credit online you need:
⇒ Your bank account & Society Building or Credit Union Account details
⇒ Your E-mail Address
⇒ Access to a phone
⇒ Identity documents (e.g., driving license, passport)
⇒ Housing costs
⇒ Earnings
⇒ National Insurance number
⇒ Other benefits
⇒ Any disabilities affecting your work
⇒ Childcare costs
⇒ Savings and investments
How can you get paid Universal Credit, and How?
You will get your first payment 5 weeks after your claim & twice a month. You will get updates on your account about the amount you will receive∴
Payment Method:
You will receive payment through your bank account, Building Society account, or credit union account. Generally, payment is made to households, Single Persons, or Couples & Families.
Monthy-Wise Payments:
⇒ Once you receive your First Claim, you can change your payment methods monthly by contacting Universal Account online.
⇒ Splitting Payments:
⇒ If you have a joint claim, you can also request to split your Payments. You can order online by your account.
Assessment Period:
⇒ Universal Credit is assessed monthly; your assessment period begins when you claim from the date.
Example: If you claim on the 1st of the month. Then, Your first assessment period Starts from the 1st to the 30th. You will receive your 1st payment after 5 weeks, which means on 8thof the month, and the Second Payment you will receive after 2 weeks from the last payment, which means the 22nd of the month. If your payment date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday arises.
Payments for Housing:
It supports maintaining your housing costs and the housing element alongside your monthly standard allowance.
Eligibility Criteria:
You may receive Credit for housing If you:
⇒ You will get payment only if you Rent from a landlord, Housing Association, or (NIHE).
⇒ You are Paying interest on your mortgage.
⇒ Your rent will be directly paid to your landlord, but you can request to be paid under certain conditions.
How to Find Work on Universal Credit:
Universal Credit supports those people who have low incomes. They allow flexible working instead of hourly working.
Commitment:
⇒ If you want to receive Universal Credit, you should commit to it via your online account. Regular discussions with your work coach will help you update this commitment.
Finding Work:
⇒ You can find the job opportunity on JobapplyNI.com. Your Work Coach can assist in CV Creation or Interview preparation.
Qualification Support:
⇒ If you are a qualified person or from outside of the UK, A free service can help match UK standards.
Careers Service:
⇒ It supports Job Searching, Returning to Work, & Financial Support.
Redundancy Help:
⇒ If you have made a mistake, you can find support or benefit information on the redundant website or call the local Jobs or Benefits office.
How can your Universal Credit Can Affect:
You should be aware of some factors affecting your universal credit payment. Let’s Discuss∴
Savings or Investments:
⇒ It is called’ Capital‘ income if you earn from savings, Investments, or assets. If you are earning between £6,001 – £16,000, then your Universal Credit will be reduced to £4.35/monthly on every £250 or above £6,000.
If your Capital is more than £16,000/month, you will be disqualified from receiving Universal Credit.
Exceptions on Assets:
⇒ Some assets are not counted, like Trading business assets, Your home & Occupational or Personal Pensions.
Unearned Income:
⇒ Other Income, like Student income, may also affect your Credit.
Payment Deductions:
⇒ You will receive low payments if you receive advances, hardship payments, payment penalties, debts to third parties, or benefit overpayments.
Other Benefits:
⇒ Suppose you are getting benefits like Armed Forces pensions or State Pension. In that case, your Universal Credit payments will also be reduced.
Sanctions:
⇒ If Somehow you can’t fulfill your commitments without a valid reason. Your Universal Credit may be sanctioned in this case, resulting in payment deductions.
How to Get Advance Payment on Your First Credit Payment:
If you are waiting to receive your first payment but as your monthly expenses have to be paid immediately, then in this case, you can apply for advance payment. Let’s Discuss∴
How to Apply online:
You can apply online through your old account or visit Jobcentre Plus Work Coach directly. You have to give them a valid reason and share all your Proof about the urgency of money.
Once they verify your valid reason, you will get the payment in your Bank Account.
Repayment: Make sure you make your advance payment within 24 months. Starting from the first payment, it will be converted into an EMI Option, which you do monthly.
Universal Credit Helpline
General Inquiries ⇒ 0800 328 5644
Welsh Language Support ⇒ 0800 328 1744
Relay UK (for hearing or speech difficulties) ⇒ 18001 then 0800 328 5644
British Sign Language (BSL) ⇒ Available on the computer; check for mobile/tablet usage.
Textphone Number ⇒ 0800 328 1344
Working Hours ⇒ Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.