Universal Credit is generally paid monthly, including for payments to couples. The payment includes both a standard allowance and extra amounts that may adjust for your circumstances. Looking after children or caring for a disabled person are some of the circumstances that may get you additional payments.
A member of staff at your local Jobcentre will assess and fill out your application. From this, a monthly amount will be calculated.
Universal Credit will deduct from your payment any income from the following benefits:
- Bereavement Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Maternity Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)
- Widowed Mother’s/Parent’s Allowance
- Widow’s Pension
- Benefits from a country outside the UK
Where to find an application
Your application will be filed through a member of staff at your local Jobcentre. They will ask questions about your income, health, education and other factors that may affect your claim. Please see here for a list of questions that will be asked as part of your assessment.
When will I first receive Universal Credit?
It usually takes around 5 weeks to receive Universal Credit after application to receive your first payment. This period is made up of an assessment period of one month and 7 days for the money to reach your account. If you require financial assistance while waiting for your first payment, you can apply for an advance. You can also ask for advance payment if there has been a change of circumstances (e.g. terminal illness) and you may be entitled to a higher payment. This advance payment is recovered from your benefit directly.
How Lestons can help
Lestons can help you to challenge the DWP, however, we a chargeable service who do not wish to encumber clients with costs where there is little chance of success, as such we would only suggest appointing us in the following 4 situations:-
- Are the calculations correct – in fairness they usually do not this wrong
- Has the council have acted according to the law, again council staff rarely make this error
- Have the council staff discriminated against you in some way.
- Have the council been over harsh in their determination of assistance offered.
It is the last two that are subjective, if you feel that your situation has not been handled to your satisfaction then please get in touch.
Who to call
If you need further assistance with your Universal Credit claim, you can access these hotlines below. It is best to use the same number as on your application when calling these numbers. Your claim will be processed faster.
Universal Credit helpline
Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Telephone (Welsh language): 0800 012 1888
Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm
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