Alliance Homes: Frequently asked questions

How do I claim Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is claimed online via https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit

If you don’t have access to a computer linked to the internet at home then contact us to find out where you can go online. But note that in some places where you can use a computer there might not be anyone available to help you with the claim.

Make sure you have the following information with you when you claim:

Your (and any partner’s) National Insurance number
Your postcode
Your email address - if you have one
Your land line / mobile phone number - if you have one
Your landlord's name and address (contact us if not sure)
Your eligible rent (this means not counting any service charges you have to pay separately - ask us for a breakdown)
Details of anyone who live with you - their name, date of birth, age, income
Account details of where you would like payments to be made - account number and sort code
The total amount of any savings you have
If you / your partner are working, the estimated gross monthly wage
Details of any other benefit income.Many of the online claim questions have a box next to them saying “What does this mean?” It’s a good idea to click on these even if you think you know what the question means, just to be certain.

If you are claiming under the ‘full’ digital service, part of the claiming process includes verifying your identity online using the government’s ‘Verify’ service.

The DWP have produced a short video about making a ‘full’ (digital) service claim.

What happens after I claim online?

You are under the ‘full’ digital Universal Credit system, you will need to book the appointment for your ‘new claim interview’ by ringing 0345 6004272.

IMPORTANT: If you do not book or attend the new claim interview appointment when required, your claim may be cancelled.

You must bring all the evidence and documents you have been asked to provide. If you can’t, you must let the Job Centre know why.

At your new claim interview, your personal “Work Coach” who will talk to you about preparing for and/or looking for, work. They will help you draw up a “Claimant Commitment” which sets out what actions you must take to prepare for/look for work. It will explain what will happen if you don’t keep to the terms of your Claimant Commitment.

IMPORTANT: If you (and your partner if you have one) don’t sign the Claimant Commitment/s, you won’t get any Universal Credit.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you tell the Work Coach about anything that might cause a problem for you in taking some sorts of work. For example, tell them if you have a bad back or if you have difficulty reading or writing. Make sure the Claimant Commitment is something you can keep to.

IMPORTANT: If for any reason you find you can’t do something that is on the Claimant Commitment (for example you are late for a Job Centre interview or you have been too unwell to go to an interview, or you have to look after a sick child) you MUST tell the Job Centre immediately – and keep a record. Otherwise you could have some of your Universal Credit “sanctioned” (not paid) – and this could last for anything between a month and three years!!!

IMPORTANT: If you are told your benefit is to be sanctioned – and you think this is wrong or unjust – you can ask the Job Centre to reconsider their decision - and if they refuse, you can appeal. Ask us for advice.

And there are other circumstances which mean you might not be able to claim yet, for example people on Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment; people who have to pay Child Support Maintenance. If you’re not sure ask us. But don’t delay putting in your claim for the benefit(s) you have to claim instead.

From 1st January 2018 there will be no new claims for Universal Credit in ‘live’ (non-digital) areas.

What about my rent?

An award of Universal Credit can include an amount for rent – called a Housing Costs Element . To be entitled to this Element you must be responsible to make payments of rent for the home where you live. Generally the whole of your Universal Credit award will be paid to you. And it will be your responsibility to budget and pay your rent from your Universal Credit and any other income you may have.

Although I am paying rent, my Universal Credit does not include any Housing Costs Element – could this be correct?

If you are liable to pay rent to your landlord then your Universal Credit award would normally include a Housing Costs Element. There are a few reasons why it might not:

When you completed your claim you ticked ‘No’ to the question ‘Do you pay rent to live in your home’? If you think this may be the reason let the DWP know that you are paying rent and contact a benefits adviser for help and contact us.

You have not yet provided the DWP with the information / evidence they need to include the Housing Costs Element in your award. You can check on your journal to see if you have any outstanding ‘to-do’s’ – and also seek advice from a benefits adviser for help and contact us.

You are living in ‘specified’ or ‘temporary’ accommodation and can claim Housing Benefit to cover your rent. Make a claim for Housing Benefit straight away and request a backdate. Get help from a benefits adviser and contact us.

You are paying your rent to a relative and so are not entitled to receive help with your rent.

My Housing Costs Element doesn’t cover my full rent – what can I do?

There are several reasons why the Housing Costs Element included in you UC award is not covering you full rent:

You are deemed to be under occupying your property and so have a Bedroom Tax reduction applied.

You have one or more non-dependants living with you – these are grown up children, friends or relatives who are living in your home and are not dependent upon you.

You have service charges included in your rent that Universal Credit will not cover – such as personal heating, intensive housing management charges, ground floor window cleaning.

The DWP believe you have an ‘untidy tenancy’ and so are only covering 50% of your rent – speak to us immediately if you believe this is happening

If the Housing Costs Element does not cover your full rent it is always worth getting this checked out – contact us for advice.

The DWP are insisting that my tenancy be changed to take off my ex-partner

I started claiming Universal Credit online but the computer told me I can’t claim yet, even though I thought I was in one of the groups of people who can claim. Why is this?

In the ‘non-digital’ areas it is only for people who are looking for work or in low paid work and, in most areas, single people without children – it is not yet for people in full time employment or who are claiming a sickness or disability benefit.

And there are other circumstances which mean you might not be able to claim yet, for example people on Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment; people who have to pay Child Support Maintenance. If you’re not sure ask us. But don’t delay putting in your claim for the benefit(s) you have to claim instead.

I’m currently getting Child Tax Credit, Income Support and Housing Benefit but my boyfriend is moving in with me. He gets Universal Credit. What difference will this make to our benefits?

You will need to claim Universal Credit as a couple and your Child Tax Credit, Income Support and Housing Benefit will stop. The Universal Credit award will be based on both your incomes and circumstances. Make sure your partner tells the DWP about this change. Your partner will need to notify the change on his journal and will be given a partner code. You will then need to set up a UC account and enter this code. And you should tell the the DWP (regarding your Income Support), HMRC (regarding your Child Tax Credit) and your local council (about your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support). If you need any more advice, ask us.

I am working age and my partner is Pension Credit age – will we need to claim Universal Credit?

From 15^th May 2019 the rules have changed. Most mixed age couples are unable to make a new claim for Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit and have to claim Universal Credit instead.

However, if you are already getting Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit, and remain entitled to it, you will stay on Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit.

And, if you are not yet on Pension Credit and/or pension age Housing Benefit, but you or your partner turned Pension Credit age before 15^th May, you may be able to make a new claim for Pension Credit and/or pension age Housing Benefit up to 13^th August and get it backdated. From 14^th August it will be too late.

Pension Credit is more generous than Universal Credit. There can be a big difference between the amount of benefit you would receive through Pension Credit and Housing Benefit compared with how much Universal Credit you would be entitled to receive.

So if you are a mixed age couple and you are told you have to claim Universal Credit – seek advice before you do to make sure you don’t have other options.

The new rules for mixed age couples are complicated – if you need to make a claim for a new benefit seek advice from a benefits adviser.

To claim Pension Credit or make enquiries ring 0800 99 1234

When I claim Universal Credit does this include a claim for help with my Council Tax too, like the Housing Benefit form does?

My Housing Benefit is currently paid directly to my landlord and I am happy with this arrangement – can I ask the DWP to pay my rent out of my Universal Credit?

Your claim for Universal Credit will include help with your rent – called a housing costs element. The whole of your Universal Credit award will be paid to you. And it will be your responsibility to budget and pay your rent from your Universal Credit and any other income you may have.

However there is a system called ‘managed payments’ (or ‘APAs’) where the housing costs element included in your Universal Credit assessment can be paid directly to your landlord in limited circumstances.

But remember this won’t necessarily cover all your rent so make sure you continue to pay any difference for example due to the Bedroom Tax, or a deduction taken off for a non-dependant living with you, etc.

‘Managed payments’ can be requested by your landlord where your rent account goes into arrears and you owe at least two months’ rent.

Alternatively you can ask the Job Centre to set you up on ‘managed payments’ if you believe you would struggle to pay the rent yourself because of your circumstances. You will need to explain what problems you have that make it difficult for you to cope with paying the rent yourself. If you would like the DWP to consider this, you can ask your Job Centre “work coach” at your first appointment after your claim for Universal Credit, or at any time after this. If you are on the non-digital Universal Credit service you can ring the UC helpline on 0800 328 9344 to make an appointment at the Job Centre. If your Universal Credit is a ‘digital service’ claim you can make the request via your online account.

Note that you do not have a right to a ‘managed payment’ – it is up to the DWP to decide if you need this help, and it will usually only be for a fixed period of time.

I’m currently getting Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit - when will I have to claim Universal Credit?

I work and get Working Tax Credit – what do these changes mean to me?

When the digital service is introduced in your area, certain changes in your circumstances, such as finishing work, or taking on a new partner may mean you have to make a claim for Universal Credit instead. But if you do not have a change in circumstances which means you need to claim Universal Credit you may not need to move onto Universal Credit until 2023.

But if you want to move onto Universal Credit you can do so – you do not need to wait until a change in your circumstances means you have to (unless you are ‘caught’ by the Severe Disability Premium. So, you could get advice to check if you would be better off on Universal Credit – but seek advice before making any decisions!

Universal Credit will be paid to you on a monthly basis and as your earnings change the amount of Universal Credit will also change, so you may get paid different amounts every month. This means you will have to think ahead to manage your bills and rent.

If you are getting help with child care costs these can continue to be supported though Universal Credit although only child care that you pay to enable you to work will be considered (ie not child care for a day you do not normally work).

When the ‘digital’ service comes to your area, if you choose to move onto Universal Credit you can do so – you do not need to wait until a change in your circumstances means you have to. So you could get advice to check if you would be better off on Universal Credit – but seek advice before making any decisions!

What happens to my Child Benefit when I move onto Universal Credit?

The only benefits Universal Credit is replacing are Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit, and Working Tax Credit.

Any other benefits you may be entitled to will continue to be paid to you separately from any Universal Credit payment. This includes Child Benefit and also: Bereavement Support Payment, Carers Allowance, Contributory/New Style Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Maternity Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and so on. (And remember to claim Council Tax Support from your local council as it isn’t included in the Universal Credit claim.)

I’ve been told I have to have a bank account for my Universal Credit payments – is this true?

If you have a Post Office Card Account, your adviser at the Jobcentre (called your Work Coach) may encourage you to open a bank account or credit union account instead. This is because the government would prefer you to have your Universal Credit payment paid into a bank account and there could be advantages to you to do this.

It’s best to get some advice on which bank account is best for you. Have a look at the Money Advice Service website to see what sort of account suits you best, or talk to an adviser about this.

I’m not sure I will cope with Universal Credit being paid monthly – is there an alternative?

Universal Credit will usually be paid monthly and in arrears.

It is best to start thinking now about how you would manage if the benefits Universal Credit is replacing were paid to you on a monthly basis. (These benefits are Income Support, Income Based JSA, Income Related Employment & Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit.)

At the point you move onto Universal Credit, if you think you are going to struggle with monthly payments explain this to the Work Coach at the Job Centre who will decide whether you could be paid under an “alternative payment arrangement”. This can be where your monthly award can be split into two payments and paid twice monthly (which is almost the same as fortnightly). You will need to explain your circumstances and why you believe you will find monthly payments difficult to manage. You don’t have a right to alternative payment arrangements – it’s up to the DWP – and they will only be paid for a limited time.

I’m worried about the time I have to wait before my first Universal Credit payment comes through: can I get any money to cover this period?

When you make your new claim for Universal Credit you will be notified of when you will receive your first payment.

This will be one calendar month and seven days, after the date you claim.

If, when you claim Universal Credit you know you will be short of money, you can request a New Claim Advance or a Benefit Transfer Advance. This is a loan which you will need to pay back out of your Universal Credit payments. The maximum amount you can borrow is the amount your first monthly Universal Credit award is expected to be. The maximum repayment period is 12 months.

If you apply for a New Claim Advance, you will need to demonstrate that you need the advance to be able to pay essential bills. However, if you have been claiming one of the benefits Universal Credit is replacing in the month before your Universal Credit claim started (eg. your Income-related Employment and Support Allowance claim has ended because you have been found fit for work), you could apply for a Benefit Transfer Advance instead and the DWP should not need evidence that you cannot manage without the advance.

You can apply for an advance online – there is an ‘Advances’ button on your Universal Credit account Home page. Alternatively, ask your Work Coach at the Job Centre to arrange this for you or telephone 0800 328 5644.

You can request a New Claim Advance or Benefit Transfer Advance at any time during your first ‘monthly assessment period’, so if you did not request one when you made your claim, but after a couple of weeks you find you are struggling, you can still request one.

IMPORTANT: Other deductions in addition to a deduction to pay back an Advance Payment can be taken out of your Universal Credit award. The more you borrow, the more you have to pay back. Think carefully about how much you need.

If immediately before claiming Universal Credit, you were getting Housing Benefit, you may qualify for the Transition to Universal Credit Housing Payment. This covers the first two weeks of your Universal Credit claim and is paid on top of any help you receive towards your rent as part of your new Universal Credit claim for the same two weeks.

The payment will be made to whoever normally receives the Housing Benefit, except if you are claiming Universal Credit because you have moved home. If you have moved, the extra two weeks’ Housing Benefit will not be paid to your old landlord, it will be paid to you, so you may be asked for your bank details.

If you think you’re entitled to this two week run-on payment but you’re not sure if you’ve received it the benefit’s team for advice.

Do the Benefit Cap and the Bedroom Tax still exist under Universal Credit?

I get Personal Independence Payment / Disability Living Allowance. What happens to these when I claim Universal Credit?

Some people on Personal Independence Payment / Disability Living Allowance do not have to claim Universal Credit yet – see ‘Severe Disability Premium Gateway rules’ above. But if you do then you will still claim Personal Independence Payment or DLA separately. (If you are 16 or over and under 65 and on DLA however, you will need to claim Personal Independence Payment instead at some point soon. Go to the section on Personal Independence Payment for more information.)

I’m getting Universal Credit because I was a single jobseeker when I claimed, but now I’ve started work / become unfit for work / had a child. Will I go back on to the “old” benefit system?

I finished work recently. I think I should be entitled to Contribution Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, but can I still claim this, or do I have to claim Universal Credit instead?

Contribution Based Jobseeker’s Allowance is a benefit for those who have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions. Some people have been advised that Contribution Based Jobseeker’s Allowance no longer exists under the Universal Credit system – but that is wrong! Contribution Based Jobseeker’s Allowance does still exist; the only thing that is changing, if you come under the Universal Credit service is the name - Contribution Based Jobseeker’s Allowance is known as ‘New Style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance.

You come under the Universal Credit service if:

You live in a Full (digital) service area and you need to make a new claim - unless you have 3 or more dependent children, or
You live in a Live (non-digital) service area and you made your claim for Universal Credit before 31st December 2017, or
You live in a Live (non-digital) area and you are treated as an existing UC claimant because you were claiming UC with a partner less than one month ago, you have separated and you now need to claim as a single person, or you were getting UC within the last six months, you were working and your entitlement to UC reduced to nil, but your circumstances have changed and you need UC again.

(There will be no new claims in Live (non-digital) areas from 1st January 2018).

If you do not come under the Universal Credit service, you will be claiming ‘Old Style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance. You can make a claim for this online. You might also need to claim Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.
This change is causing some confusion and you may be given incorrect advice.

To make a claim for ‘New Style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance you must ring 0800 328 9344 if you live in a ‘live’/gateway service area, or 0800 055 6688 if you live in a Full Digital Service area. You do not have to claim Universal Credit at the same time, you can make a claim for ‘New Style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance without claiming Universal Credit if that is best for you. If you only want to claim New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance and not Universal Credit you will need to ask for form UC JSA1 to be sent to you by email or by post.

It is important to get the right advice because you may be better off if you only claim New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance and not Universal Credit, for example if you already have an award of Housing Benefit or Child Tax Credit, then these can continue (you will need to report your change of circumstances to the relevant departments).

Or you may be better off if you claim Universal Credit in addition to New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance. This could be the case if you do not currently get any Housing Benefit. Your New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance will count as income when your Universal Credit entitlement is calculated.

So seek help from a specialist benefits adviser or contact us so we can advise you about your options before you do anything.

Example:
Daniel and Julie have two young daughters. Daniel works full time and Julie was working part time, but has recently been laid off after working for the same company for 5 years, so she is looking for another job. As well as Daniel’s earnings they also get Tax Credits (which includes a disabled child addition for their youngest daughter).

Julie wants to claim New Style Jobseekers Allowance. If she goes online to try to claim, rings the call centre or asks at her local jobcentre, it is likely that she will be (incorrectly) advised to make a claim for Universal Credit instead of, or in addition to, a claim for New Style Jobseekers Allowance. This would mean that their Tax Credits would be brought to an end and they may get less financial help from Universal Credit than they would have done from staying on Tax Credits. They should be advised to get a 'better off' calculation done, and, if they do not wish to claim Universal Credit, to make the claim for CB-JSA by calling 0800 055 6688 and making it clear that she does not want to claim Universal Credit.

I finished work recently due to health problems. I think I should be entitled to Contribution Based Employment and Support Allowance, but can I still claim this, or do I have to claim Universal Credit instead?

As with Contributory Jobseeker’s Allowance (see previous question), you will be making a claim for ‘New Style’ Employment and Support Allowance. To make a claim, if you live in an area which has the Full (digital) Universal Credit Service, you will need to ring the Universal Credit helpline 0345 600 4272 to request form UC ESA1. It is a good idea to get specialist advice about whether it would be better for you to make a claim for Universal Credit at the same time or not. So contact us for advice.

If you do not come under the Universal Credit service you can claim ‘Old Style’ Contribution Based Jobseeker’s Allowance by ringing 0800 0556688.

I get Universal Credit as a jobseeker, but I have become unwell, what happens to my Universal Credit?

If your health problems are affecting your ability to look for work, let your Work Coach know about this straight away because they should allow you time off your job search. If you are ill for more than 7 days you will need to provide your Work Coach with medical certificates from your GP, so think about booking an appointment with your doctor now, in case you cannot get one straight away.

If your illness is likely to last a few weeks, ask the Universal Credit department to refer you for a Work Capability Assessment; if you pass this then you will not be expected to look for work or apply for jobs. While you are waiting for this to take place, ask for your work search requirements to be reduced; your Work Coach should consider what is reasonable for you to be doing in the light of your health problems. If you do not ask for your work search requirements to be reduced, you are more at risk of being sanctioned. If your Work Coach refuses, or you think what is being expected is unreasonable, seek advice.

I am getting Universal Credit as a jobseeker; my claimant commitment says I must spend 35 hours every week doing job searching activities, but my elderly mother has become very poorly and I need to look after her – what should I do?

Let your Work Coach know about your situation as soon as possible. They may agree to adjust your claimant commitment as a temporary measure, under the circumstances. If your mother is likely to need your help in the longer term, get advice on when she could claim Attendance Allowance; if she is awarded Attendance Allowance, you could receive Universal Credit as a carer instead of as a jobseeker – so you would not have to look for work.

Frequently asked questions - Universal Credit

Universal Credit