Universal Credit
If you are on a low income or are out of work, you may be able to claim Universal Credit (UC).
Universal Credit is a benefit for people of working age, who are on a low income or are out of work. It replaces a number of other benefits, including Housing Benefit.
If you are already claiming one or more of the below benefits, you should carry on claiming as normal - you'll be told when you need to do anything differently:
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- income related Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit.
Universal Credit eligibility
You'll need to apply for Universal Credit, instead of housing benefit, if you're of working age and have lived in one of the below postcode areas from the stated dates:
- PE10 or PE6 8 (Stamford JCP) - 18 October 2017
- PE6 9 (Peterborough JCP) - 15 November 2017
- PE11 1, PE11 2, PE11 3, PE11 4, PE11 9, PE12 0, PE12 2, PE12 6, PE12 7, PE12 8, PE12 9 or PE6 0 (Spalding JCP) - 11 July 2018
- PE13 4, PE13 5 or PE14 7 (Wisbech JCP) - 12 September 2018
- PE20 3 (Boston JCP) - 12 September 2019
- PE34 4 (Kings Lynn JCP) - 14 November 2018
To find out if you are eligible, visit the Universal Credit postcode checker (opens new window).
Apply for Universal Credit
To apply for Universal Credit online, please visit GOV.UK (opens new window).
Before applying, use the Universal Credit checklist (PDF) [46KB] (opens new window) to be sure you have all the information you'll need to apply.
You can access your UC account on a tablet, smartphone or computer. If you do not have access to the internet via a smartphone, tablet or computer, there are a number of free internet-enabled computers across South Holland that are available for public use.
The Universal Credit helplines are free to call. If you have an online UC account, please call 0800 328 5644. If you don't have an online UC account, please call 0800 328 9344.
You will still need to make a separate claim to us for Council Tax Support. If you're of pension age, you can still apply for Housing Benefit.
Managing your Universal Credit
You'll receive your first Universal Credit payment around five weeks after you've applied. If you won't have enough money to live on whilst you wait for your application to be handled, you can ask for an advanced payment. Universal Credit will be paid into your bank account as a monthly payment.
Help with housing costs will be included in this payment, so you may have to make payments to your landlord yourself. Paying your rent should always be your priority. If you owe rent or struggling to pay, ask if housing costs can be paid directly to your landlord.
If you are not used to managing a monthly household budget, the Money Advice Service budget planner (opens new window) can help you take control.
To find out more about alternative payment arrangements, please speak to:
South Holland District Council tenants have multiple ways of paying their rent. Please visit our web page for more information.