However from April 2017, Universal Credit has been expanded to all new claimants which is known as ‘full service’ Universal Credit and is replacing the following six legacy benefits:

• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Job Seekers Allowance
• Employment Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit 

This means that you are not able to make a claim for Housing Benefit, but you will be able to claim Universal Credit.  The amount of Universal Credit you can get depends on your circumstances and income.  Your Universal Credit payment is made up of a basic 'standard allowance' and any extra amounts that apply to you.  You can get more money to help pay your housing costs, how much you can get depends on your circumstances. 

Please note that if you are living in supported housing your claim for Universal Credit will not include any housing costs.  You will need to claim Housing Benefit from the local authority. 

For more information please visit www.gov.uk/universalcredit

This occurs when you report a qualifying change of circumstance to your legacy benefit.  Here are some examples of when you will move over to Universal Credit:

• You are a lone parent in receipt of Income Support and your youngest child turns 5 or permanently leaves the household
• You become responsible for a child for the first time
• You stop working due to sickness
• You move address into a full service area
• You are claiming tax credits and separate from your partner

For more information on a full list natural migration criteria please visit www.gov.uk/universalcredit

The government expects almost everyone to claim and manage their Universal Credit online.  To claim universal credit you must set up a universal credit account to complete the application, you will also manage your ongoing claim online through this account.  You will therefore need regular online access to keep your circumstances up to date and ensure you are paid correctly. 

Universal credit accounts are designed to work equally on desktop pc’s, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
To set-up and maintain your account you will need the following:

• an email account which you use and access regularly 
• to complete an online form entering a range of personal data 
• the ability to create and upload documents such as your CV
• to scan or take images of evidence and upload these to your account

Please click on this link to watch a video explaining how to claim Universal Credit;

The housing costs element of Universal Credit which replaces Housing Benefit for tenants, will be paid direct to you, rather than being paid to your landlord as is the case for many existing Housing Benefit claimants. 

However, those tenants who need budgeting support or who get into rent arrears after a month or two, can have their rent element and rent arrears paid direct to the landlord, for a temporary period.

To receive Universal Credit you will need an account with a bank, a building society or a credit union.  Post Office card accounts may be too limited for Universal Credit.

The government recognises that the move to a single monthly household payment will be a significant change to the way most benefits are currently paid and has introduced the Alternative Payment Arrangements scheme which provides the following help on a temporary basis if you are identified as needing additional support:

• Paying the housing element of Universal Credit as a Managed Payment direct to the landlord
• More frequent than monthly payments
• A split payment of an award between partners

You will also be offered Personal Budgeting Support if you are deemed vulnerable and needing money advice to help you to cope with managing your money on a monthly basis and paying your bills on time. You can receive support at any time once your claim for Universal Credit has been made. 

Please click this link to complete a Budgeting Support Form. 

If you have any further queries contact the Welfare Reform Response Team on 01352 704848 or email at welfarereformresponse@flintshire.gov.uk.

You can access help with making a claim online, updating your account and reporting change of circumstances. Our staff have been trained to provide help and support in needed and this is available in any of our Connects Centres.  

Please click on the link below for further information.

Discretionary Assistance

Please note that Universal Credit does not include any help towards your Council Tax costs.  Therefore you will need to apply for Council Tax Support online. 

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are payments that may be made by the Council to people that are receiving Universal Credit (Housing Element), but who may still need further financial help with their housing costs. Please click here to apply.

You may also be entitled to Free School Meals (eFSM) and School Essentials Grant if you claim Universal Credit.  Please click on this link to apply.

To see if you're entitled please click on the link to go to the Universal Calculator.  

To understand some more about the online claim process for Universal Credit please click on this link.

For further information and to apply for universal credit please visit www.gov.uk/universalcredit.

If you need any further support or advice, please email The Welfare Reform Response Team at WRRT@flintshire.gov.uk