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Cost of living support

Financial advice and emotional support on how you can ease the cost of living squeeze.

Apply for Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a single monthly payment for people out of work or on a low income that has been rolled out to all new claimants in Uttlesford. 

This means that if you live in Uttlesford and need help paying your living costs and rent, you will need to claim Universal Credit, unless you:

  • have reached State Pension age
  • live in supported accommodation
  • live in temporary accommodation

If you do fall into one of these categories, you will need to claim Housing Benefit

Eligibility

Universal Credit is administered and paid by The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It replaces these 6 benefits:

  • Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you're on a low income or need help with your living costs. You could be:

  • out of work
  • working (including self-employed or part time)
  • unable to work, for example because of a health condition

To claim you must:

  • live in the UK
  • be aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you're 16 to 17)
  • be under State Pension age
  • have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments

You can find more information about Universal Credit on GOV.UK

Move to Universal Credit from other benefit

Look out for a letter called a Universal Credit Migration Notice from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) explaining what you'll need to do and when. 

Find out more information from the UC Move GOV.UK website.

Apply

If you fall under the group of households that should be claiming Universal Credit you will need to do this online via the GOV.UK website.

Apply for Universal Credit

To make a claim you will need:

  • an email address to set up an account
  • your postcode
  • your National Insurance number
  • details of the bank, building society or credit union account you would like any Universal Credit award paid into
  • tenancy agreement and your current rent amount
  • details of any income, savings or capital
  • details of children including a child benefit number
  • photo ID, such as a passport or photo driving license (not essential but speeds up the claiming process)

 

Benefit calculator

We have listed a selection of independent, free and anonymous benefit calculators to check what you could be entitled to and give you an estimate of:

  • the benefits you could get
  • how much your benefit payments could be
  • how your benefits will be affected if you start work or increase your hours
  • how your benefits will be affected if your circumstances change - for example, if you have a child or move in with your partner

 

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