Things to think about

If you are thinking about claiming Universal Credit then seek advice from a Benefits Adviser.

If you are on one or more of the benefits Universal Credit is replacing – there is a lot to consider, such as:

• What you’ll be expected to do in exchange for receiving Universal Credit.
  This will be outlined in your Claimant Commitment – see What is the Claimant Commitment for more information.
  
  
• What deductions may be taken off your Universal Credit.
  See Deductions for more information.
  
  
• Taking responsibility for paying your rent yourself, if you are currently having any Housing Benefit paid directly to your landlord*.
  See Help with your rent for more information.
  
  
• Needing an email address, mobile phone number and regular access to the internet.
  
  
• How you’ll manage budgeting your money monthly*.
  See Getting paid for more information.
  
  
• If you are a couple, which account it is paid into.
  See Claiming as a couple for more information.
  
  
• Some people are worse off on Universal Credit.

So if you are thinking of claiming please do seek advice – you need to make sure that taking all your circumstances into account, you will be better off.

*If you are claiming Universal Credit in Scotland, then there is a different system called Scottish choices. This means you can choose to have your Universal Credit award paid to you twice a month and for an amount of your Universal Credit to be paid direct to your landlord and will be offered these options when you first make your claim.

Example:
Raheema was told that she may be better off on Universal Credit. When she entered her details into an online calculator it did show that she would get £24 a month more in Universal Credit than she was getting in Tax Credits. She wanted to make sure this was correct and discussed her situation with a Benefits Adviser. She found out that if she went onto Universal Credit she may be asked to look for a full-time job, and could actually be worse off – as she’d forgotten that her Tax Credits were being reduced due to an overpayment that would also be deducted from any Universal Credit award.

Example:
Sandra was told that she could be better off on Universal Credit as a working carer. She works part-time and gets some Housing Benefit to help her pay her rent. She spends 35 hours a week caring for her disabled mum. She discussed her situation with a Benefits Adviser and found out that she would be £120 a month better off on Universal Credit. She is happy to make and manage an online UC claim. She already has a bank account and is happy to set up a direct debit to pay all her rent.

NOTE: Some people not currently entitled to benefits may be able to receive a financial top up from Universal Credit – seek advice from a Benefits Adviser or use an online benefit calculation tool.