About Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a welfare support that working age people may be able to claim if they are on a low income or out of work. It replaces the following:

• Child Tax Credit          • Working Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit          • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support          • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

If you receive these benefits or tax credits and your circumstances change, it may mean that you will need to make a claim for Universal Credit instead.

Click on the link below for further information and to apply for Universal Credit:

www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk

Your Universal Credit is a single monthly payment and you may have to wait for around 5 weeks for your first payment. You may be able to get a Universal Credit advance if you are unable to manage during this period. Remember that the advance will have to be paid back from your future payments.

You will receive the first rent payment direct into your own bank account. After which you can ask DWP to pay your rent direct to Forth.

Contact us on 01786 446066 if you are applying for Universal Credit. Tracy Doran our Income Maximisation Officer can  discuss how you can manage your rent payments and can arrange for you to receive additional benefit, money and debt advice.

 For more information log on to: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

About Housing Benefit

If you are already in receipt of Housing Benefit and you are not in temporary accommoation, you may be able to continue to claim Housing Benefit if you move house and remain in same Council area.

If you are of pension age or part of a couple who are both pension age, you may be able to claim Housing Benefit for help with rent costs.

You can download a Housing Benefit application from stirling.gov.uk/housing-council-tax/council-tax/council-tax-forms