Help with Universal Credit
Do you need help making your Universal Credit claim?
Universal Credit is being introduced across the Manchester in stages from October 2017. It will replace 6 ‘means-tested’ benefits - these are benefits you can get if your income and savings are below a certain level.
Universal Credit works differently from other benefits - so if you’re moving from another benefit it’s important to know the differences.
The biggest differences are:
you can get Universal Credit if you’re unemployed but also if you’re working
you’ll get a single payment each month, rather than weekly or fortnightly
instead of getting a separate housing benefit, your housing costs will be paid directly to you as part of your monthly Universal Credit payment
the benefit is claimed and managed online. You will need an email account and access to the internet to make and maintain your claim.
Whether you should apply for Universal Credit instead of one of these benefits, depends on where you live and your circumstances - check if you can apply by calling our Help to Claim service.
Help to Claim is a dedicated service from Citizens Advice. It’s free, independent, confidential and impartial. Our trained advisers can help with things like how to gather evidence for your application or how to prepare for your first Jobcentre appointment.
You can contact an adviser through our free national Help to Claim phone service on 0800 144 8444 (Help to Claim enquiries only. Callers enquiring about any other issue will be advised to call Adviceline on 0808 278 7800).
You can read our online guidance about Universal Credit at any time here.