East Suffolk Council

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a new single payment for working age people who are looking for work or on a low income. It replaces Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Income based Jobseekers Allowance and Income related Employment and Support Allowance.

• Frequently asked questions about Universal Credit including new claim triggers (Opens a PDF document)
• Find out if you should claim Housing Benefit or Universal Credit

Opening a Universal Credit account online

Working with students at Lowestoft College, we have produced a series of videos to promote and explain how Universal Credit works and how it can #makeyourmoneygofurther!

Preparing for Universal Credit

By completing the Universal Credit preparation questions, you'll know if there are important changes you need to make and get advice on what you need to do to prepare for Universal Credit. This should take about 5 minutes.

We teamed up with our colleagues at East Suffolk Citizens Advice to create a handy ‘Understanding Universal Credit’ video to help you get ready for Universal Credit.

Help to claim

If you need to claim Universal Credit, and need help making or managing an online claim, Citizens Advice can help. Visit the Citizens Advice website for further information, or contact the Citizens Advice helpline on 0800 144 8444 to access ‘Help to Claim’.

Further information

• Understanding Universal Credit
• Universal Credit information on the GOV.UK website
• Universal Credit and you - an introduction to Universal Credit for people who are claiming it
• Money Helper also offers useful information and have developed an online tool that provides practical support and advice
• Information about Universal Credit for homeless people, those at risk of homelessness and the organisations supporting them

Universal Credit information for landlords

• Universal Credit and rented housing guide from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• What Universal Credit means for landlords from GOV.UK

Looking for work?

Jobhelp is a good place to start. Jobhelp is a useful hints and tips website that has been launched by the Minister for Employment.