Universal Credit

Over 6 million people have applied for Universal Credit since the first lockdown, many of which for the first time.

If you are new to Universal Credit, the GOV’s Understanding Universal Credit and the Coronavirus page could be a good place to start, this could help clarify if you are eligible and understand how it works.

Key Info

Universal Credit Advance (essentially loans) Repayment info

  • 24 months if you apply for the advance on or after 12 April 2021 because you’ve made a new claim for Universal Credit

  • 12 months if you applied for the advance before 12 April 2021 because you made a new claim for Universal Credit

  • 6 months if you apply for the advance because of a change of circumstances

If you’re already claiming Universal Credit and you need support please contact your work coach as soon as possible. You can do this by:

New Universal Credit Users

If you need to claim Universal Credit, you can do so without having to attend a Jobcentre if you have been advised to self-isolate. You can do this online, as they have asked that people do not call due to high numbers of callers.

If you are affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay or New Style ESA then you should seek to apply for Universal Credit. Even if someone is entitled to Statutory Sick Pay or New Style ESA then they may still have an entitlement to Universal Credit.

Housing Benefit

A big change to Universal Credit is the amount of housing benefit you can claim. The amount it paid out had been frozen since 2016, but from April the housing element of universal credit will be unfrozen, meaning both people who rent and those who own their property could be eligible to more money. This can now cover the bottom 30% valued properties in an area (a rise from covering the bottom 10%).

If you claim the housing element of universal credit, it could be worth £100s or even £1,000s a month. The housing element of universal credit can be used to cover:

  • Your rent

  • The interest on your mortgage (only if you have been claiming for 39 weeks)

  •  Any service charges you may pay

You can check your local housing allowance/housing benefit entitlement here: check local housing allowance

How Much Could I Receive On Universal Credit?

Everyone’s personal entitlement on Universal Credit will depend on a variety of factors. Some factors that influence your entitlement include:

  • If you have between £6,000 and £16,000 in savings, this will reduce your UC entitlement

  • You are completely ineligible for UC if you have over £16,000 in savings

  • Limit on additional money if someone has more than 2 children

You can check how much you are likely to receive here: You can locate the Better off Benefit Calculator here.

Self-employment - Minimum Income Floor

This has been reinstated from August 2021 - For more information see the Turn2Us website.

For more detail on these changes and to enquire about your eligibility, you can contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 for more information.