Overview
Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you're on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.
Universal Credit is claimed from – and paid by – the government, not Thurrock Council.
What Universal Credit is
Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits and tax credits:
- housing benefit
- income support
- income-based jobseeker's allowance
- income-related employment and support allowance
- child tax credit
- working tax credit
If you're getting any of these benefits or tax credits, you do not need to do anything unless:
- you have a change of circumstances you need to report
- you get a letter called a 'Migration Notice' telling you that you must start to claim Universal Credit
Universal Credit is not currently replacing Local Council Tax Support or other benefits.
Who can get it and how much is paid
Full information on Universal Credit is available form the GOV.UK: Universal Credit website, including:
- GOV.UK: Universal Credit – eligibility
- GOV.UK: Universal Credit – what you'll get
- GOV.UK: Universal Credit – how your earnings affect your payments
- GOV.UK: Universal Credit – how you're paid
How to claim
Go to our information on getting Universal Credit.
Government information is available at GOV.UK: Universal Credit – how to claim.
Further information
For more information, go to Money Helper: Universal Credit.
You can use online benefits calculators to find out how much Universal Credit, and other benefits, you could get – go to GOV.UK: benefits calculators.
Information on the government website is also available from the video below, created by the government's Department for Work and Pensions.