Central Government in Westminster introduced Universal Credit to Nottingham this Autumn.
The City Council has previously urged the Government to pause the roll-out of Universal Credit full service before it was imposed on the citizens of Nottingham given the failures identified by pilot schemes and concerns raised by the Work and Pensions Committee.
If you make a new benefit claim or if you have a change in your circumstances you will move onto Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is replacing the following
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
If you already claim one or more of these, you will not move over to Universal Credit straight away unless your circumstances change. You don’t need to do anything until you hear from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about moving to Universal Credit.
Support and advice
If you are moved on to Universal Credit, you can get access to a computer at your local library.
You can find out more about Universal Credit on the Government’s website, including checking eligibility here.
Nottingham City Council’s Welfare Rights Service can give advice and guidance.
Free advice and guidance are also available from Advice Nottingham, a consortium of six advice agencies based in Nottingham City.
Visit advicenottingham.org.uk/ or call Citizens Advice Nottingham and District on 0300 330 5457 for more information.
Information to claim
To apply for Universal Credit you must have the following:
- Your bank, building society or credit union account details (call the Universal Credit helpline if you do not have one)
- Your email address
- A National Insurance number
- Information about your housing, for example, how much rent they pay
- Details of your income, for example, payslips
- Details of savings and any investments, like shares or a property
- Details of how much you pay for childcare if they’re applying for help with childcare costs
They will also need to have some proof of identity to verify who they are online, for example, they could use the following:
- Driving licence
- Passport
- Debit or credit card
Need help?
If you are a claimant and are unsure about using a computer or you need help with budgeting, you may be eligible for support when you make your first Universal Credit claim. You can ask your work coach to refer you.
Further information
There are two leaflets available, which have further information. Follow the links below:
Two important things to remember
- If you are given a 16 digit identification number, keep it safe and away from other details like your password
- You will need to apply for Council Tax Support separately from Universal Credit
Nottingham Credit Union
More than 2 million people across the country are now members of a credit union, according to the latest figures from the Bank of England.
Unlike most financial services companies, a credit union is a not-for-profit organisation – its shareholders are its customers. They are often seen as offering people an alternative to payday and other lenders which charge high-interest fees.
Nottingham Credit Union, based on Maid Marian Way in the city centre, offers a range of services to people across the city, from savings and loans to bank accounts and a raft of help and advice. Only people living or working in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (or in our partners’ housing) can join. NCU has been providing great value financial products since 1992, pricing its products to cover costs not to make money out of its customers.
For more information, visit www.nottinghcu.co.uk