Universal Credit is replacing Housing Benefit, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance and Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
Universal Credit is a payment for people who are on a low income or out of work. It includes support for the cost of housing, children and childcare, and financial support for people with disabilities, carers and people too ill to work.
Read our leaflet on Universal Credit
For more information about Universal Credit, visit the nidirect website: www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/universal-credit
Am I eligible to receive Universal Credit?
To get Universal Credit in Northern Ireland you must:
- be aged 18 or over (16 or 17 in certain circumstances)
- be under State Pension age
- not be in full time education or training
- not have savings over £16,000
You’ll get less Universal Credit if you have savings over £6,000 or earn enough money to cover your basic living costs.
What benefits does Universal Credit replace?
Universal Credit will replace:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
If you get any of these benefits, wait until you receive a letter from the Department for Communities informing you to Move to Universal Credit.
How do I apply for Universal Credit?
Our Welfare Advice Officers can help with Universal Credit applications.
Telephone: 028 7130 4800
Office hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday
Universal Credit is a digital service. This means that the benefit application and all communications about the claim will be carried out online. You will not receive letters or emails about your claim; it’s your responsibility to regularly log into your online Universal Credit account to access any communications about the claim.
Before you apply
Before you apply for Universal Credit you will need the following information to hand:
- your postcode
- an email address
- details of the bank or building society you want Universal Credit paid into
- details of your housing costs (rent)
- if applicable, your landlord’s details
- details of your savings or other capital
- details of any income that’s not from work, for example, from an insurance plan
- details of any other benefits you’re getting
- details of people who live in your home, for example, your partners and children
When making your claim you will be set tasks called ‘to-dos’ that will tell you exactly what steps you need to take.
Rate Rebate
Help for rates is NOT included in the housing costs element of Universal Credit. When completing your UC Claim, in the Housing cost section:
- Tick the box to confirm your name appears on the rates bill, and
- Tick the box to say you require support with rates.
You should make your claim for Rate Rebate immediately after submitting your UC claim at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/applying-rate-rebate
Help video
View this short film explaining how to claim Universal Credit online.