Universal Credit

It’s important to check you’re receiving all the benefits and tax credits you’re entitled to.

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Universal Credit is a combined working-age benefit that incorporates six benefits previously known as Income Support, Income based Job Seekers Allowance, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. 

All Universal Credit claims must be made online - you can apply by clicking on the following link. 

Apply for Universal Credit

There is a waiting time of around six weeks before you will get paid, so if you claim on 1 August, you will not be paid until mid September. Your next payment after that would be in mid October. It will be paid monthly in arrears but there is normally a wait of five to seven weeks after claiming before your payments come through, although you can get a loan against your payments if you are really struggling.

Remember, any payments from Universal Credit will include what was once called Housing Benefit; you will need to pay this direct to your landlord to avoid arrears.

Useful contacts at Network Homes

Please contact us when you make a claim for Universal Credit or another benefit or if you have any questions about changes to your benefits. Our teams are here to help!

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