Universal Credit is a form of benefit given to people who earn below a certain level of income each year, who have a certain amount of savings and those with a certain level of capital this is also known as ‘Means Tested Benefits’.
Mean Tested benefits include:
- Income based Job seekers allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefits
- Income -related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax credit
Universal Credit is designed to make the benefit system a lot easier and is given on a monthly basis, although it is being gradually introduced throughout the UK. However, there are a list of benefits that will be encompassed within the Universal Credit such as Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Income Support, Child Tax Credit, Income based Job Seekers Allowance and Income related Employment Support Allowance. There are only a few at which will still remain alongside the Universal Credit:
- Attendance Allowance – Industrial Injuries Benefit – Local Welfare Provision
- Basic State Pension – Local Council Tax Support Schemes – Pension Credit
- Child Benefit – Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Carers Allowance – New State Pension
To receive Universal Credit there are requirements that need to be met which depends upon your personal situation and if you claim Universal Credit then you will lose your legacy benefits and you can’t claim them again. Furthermore, if you have a partner you will claim as a joint couple, also if you have two children or more you won’t be able to claim Universal Credit because it is not yet in place until 1st February 2019. The requirements to claim Universal Credit are as follows:
- 18 and over (in most circumstances)
- Under Pension Credit age (65+)
- Living in Great Britain
- Not be in full time education
- Agreed to a Claimant Comminitment
To check your eligibility on claiming Universal credit look on the Gov UK website. www.gov.uk/universal-credit