Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you are on a low income, out of work, you cannot work or depending on the make-up of your household.
We are currently in the transition period from benefits to Universal Credit, called Managed Migration. Everyone of working age will have to move over to Universal credit by the end of 2024. However, you can move over sooner if you are better off on UC. If not, we advise you to wait for your UC Migration Notice Letter from the Government.
Some people/households will be better off when they move across, but some people will not. Be sure to get advice before you switch as you can not go back once you have moved across.
If you are working and not in receipt of any Universal Credit, but are unsure if you would qualify, the table below gives a few examples of different family circumstances and the levels at which you would still qualify for Universal Credit:
There is lots of help available to support you with a Universal Credit application. Please ask for advice from the Plus Dane Income or Welfare teams or from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) before you apply.
Citizens Advice Bureau
You can call the CAB Help to Claim Advisors on 0800 144 8 444. The CAB Help to Claim phone service is free to use and is open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Plus Dane Support Team
If you would prefer to talk to our support team here at Plus Dane, call 0800 169 2988 and ask to speak to the Income or Welfare team about advice on Universal Credit application.
You can read a step-by-step guide from CAB here: Universal Credit - Citizens Advice
Try our Benefits Calculator to help you figure out what you may be entitled to.
We also have a Budgeting Tool to help you maximise your income and keep track of your outgoings.
