Universal Credit

Decorative image reading 'Getting ready for Universal Credit'. Universal Credit was introduced by the Government to replace six existing benefits with a single payment.

It's paid monthly in arrears direct to your bank/building society account, which can take up to 5 weeks for your first payment.

Universal Credit will replace the following six benefits for all new claims:

  • Income Support,
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
  • Working Tax Credit,
  • Child Tax Credit
  • and Housing Benefit

Click here if you'd like more information on Universal Credit.

If you do not have enough to live on while you wait for your first UC payment you can ask for an advance payment after you’ve made a claim.  You can apply for an advance payment in your online account or through your Jobcentre Plus work coach:

Click here for more information on how to ask for an advance payment.
Click here to visit your online account to apply for an advance payment.

Making your Universal Credit Claim

Decorative image displaying a 'warning' (!) symbol. Universal Credit is claimed and managed online by GOV.UK - so you'll need to click here to make an online Universal Credit claim. As well as applying online you will also need to attend an interview at your local Jobcentre Plus.

You need the following information to make your claim:

  • Valid email address / account
  • Mobile phone number
  • National Insurance number
  • A bank or building society account (in your own name)
  • Your Tenancy Agreement
  • Details of your savings or other capital
  • Details of any income that’s not from work (e.g. from an insurance plan)
  • Details of any other benefits you’re getting
  • Photo ID e.g. driving licence

You will also need these details for people who live in your home, e.g. your partner.

If you don’t have any of the information listed above, please contact Jobcentre Plus on 0800 328 5644 for help and advice on making an online claim.

The line is open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.

How will I receive my Universal Credit payments?

Decorative image of a calculator icon To receive Universal Credit you will need your own bank or building society account. Post Office accounts are not acceptable and you can not use anyone else's account to receive your payments (unless you are making a joint claim).

Click here for more information about bank accounts.

You will be paid as follows:

  • Monthly in arrears into a bank account of your choice
  • If you get help with your rent (previously housing benefit), the housing payment will be included in your monthly UC payment so you will need to pay your rent to us directly.
  • If you live with your partner and you are both eligible, you will get one monthly joint payment
  • Other adults living in the same household who are claiming Universal Credit will be paid separately.

If you do not have a bank account, please contact our Money Advice Team on 01204 328000, or email moneyadviceteam@boltonathome.org.uk and we can help set one up for you.

Universal Credit migration

If you receive Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Working Tax Credit or Income Related Employment and Support Allowance, you might get a ‘Universal Credit migration notice letter’ from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The letter is part of a phased approach by the DWP to moving more people receiving these six ‘legacy’ benefits over to Universal Credit. Around 250 households across Bolton will be contacted at first, so the phasing will be spread out over time and span tenants and residents.

We understand that everyone who gets a letter will have their entitlement to Universal Credit assessed against their current legacy benefits, with top up payments known as transitional protection available for eligible claimants whose entitlement would otherwise have been reduced because of the change. This should ensure you’ll receive the same entitlement as on the legacy system at the point you move to Universal Credit and this will continue unless your circumstances alter.

The letter will explain you need to make a claim for Universal Credit within three months. If you get a letter and want more information- a helpline is included on the letter; you can get support at the Jobcentres on Great Moor Street, Blackhorse Street or Orlando Bridge; or you can phone us on 01204 328000.

If you don’t receive a letter at this time, you’ll continue to receive your benefits as normal and we suggest you wait until the DWP writes to you before applying for Universal Credit to make sure you don’t lose transactional protection payments that you might be eligible for.

Please phone us on 01204 328000 if you're a Bolton at Home tenant and have any questions, concerns or would appreciate some money or benefit related advice.