Universal Credit

On Tax Credits or receive Housing Benefit, JSA, IS or ESA?

You’ll have received a leaflet from the government about these benefits being replaced by Universal Credit (UC).

Your Migration Notice letter will arrive in the coming months and ask you to complete an online application for UC. You’ll need to make the switch within the period stated in your letter.

Please note – if you apply for UC too early, you could be worse off financially and lose your transitional protection payment. You might be better off making the move to UC closer to the end of the period stated in your letter.

Avoid relying solely on online benefit calculators - they often can’t account for transitional protection and may even incorrectly advise that you will not be entitled. To understand how the migration to UC could affect you, please get in touch and ask to speak with one of our Customer Income Advisors. 

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit has replaced Housing Benefit, ESA, JSA, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Income Support for most people and it's received in a single payment each month. Universal Credit is all managed online - where you will be able to apply, update your details, view your benefit payments, exchange messages with your work coach and keep a record of your job seeking activity (if you are required to).

Who can receive Universal Credit?

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs. You could be out of work, working (including self-employed or part time), or unable to work (for example because of a health condition). 

To claim you must live in the UK, be aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17), be under State Pension age, and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.

Find out more about Universal Credit eligibility and use a benefits calculator to check what you're entitled to. 

Does Universal Credit affect how I pay my rent?

Usually, yes – if you move on to Universal Credit any help you get towards your rent will be paid directly to you as part of one monthly payment. This is called a 'housing element' and you'll then need to remember to pay us each month.

The easiest way to pay your rent and service charges is to set up a direct debit to come out of your bank account after your Universal Credit is paid each month. Find out more about ways to pay SNG.

Some claimants will be able to have their housing costs paid direct to their landlord . If you think this would help you, call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

How do I start claiming Universal Credit?

You can start the claiming process by visiting the government website.

Please note - if you can’t apply online or will find it difficult to, call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644. Alternatively, you can speak to an SNG Customer Income Advisor who can help you make a claim - by calling 0300 5000 926 or emailing supportforyou@sng.org.uk.

Your Universal credit account, journal and sanctions

You’ll need your online Universal Credit account for lots of things – it’s not just for applying for Universal Credit. 

It will be used to:

  • Update your details if your circumstances change
  • Provide information such as childcare costs
  • Give details about a disability or health condition
  • View how much your Universal Credit payments will be 
  • Exchange messages with your work coach and case manager. This happens in the area of your Universal Credit account called the journal
  • Keep a record of all the things you’re doing to find work (if you need to). You’ll find the things you need to do are recorded in the section of the online account called the to do list,

Every April, you’ll need to let the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) know whether your rent and service charges have changed. Look out for a 'to-do' on your online portal.