Attention - Stirling Is a Full Universal Credit Area

Attention! - Stirling Became A Full Universal Credit Area In June 17

As from June 2017, Stirling became a full service area for Universal Credit. This means that anyone claiming a NEW benefit requires to claim Universal Credit.
For example, if you are currently claiming Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and then are found to work and require to claim Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), you now have to claim Universal Credit. Even if you appeal the ESA decision, this is overturned and ESA is reinstated, the claim for Universal Credit will continue.
If you make a NEW claim for Housing Benefit you are likely to have to claim Universal Credit.
If a claim for Universal Credit is made then this will include all Means Tested Benefits (not Child Benefit or DLA/PIP/AA). This would mean that any Tax Credits or Housing Benefit would stop and be included in an Universal Credit claim, which would be paid monthly.
If you claim Child Tax Credits and you have a new child then you will still remain on Tax Credits. Or if you already claim Child Tax Credits and then claim Working Tax Credits, this is a change of circumstances. Therefore this is not classed as a new claim and Universal Credit claim should not be required.
For details of how this affects you or assistance to complete, please contact Tracy Doran at the office Tel: 01786 431921. You can also get further information about Universal Credit from the Department of Work and Pensions website www.gov.uk/universal-credit