Universal Credit
Do you already get Housing Benefit and you’re of working age? You will be moved to Universal Credit. This will not happen automatically. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you when you need to make a new claim.
On this page
- What is Universal Credit and how does it work?
- Do I apply for Universal Credit or Housing Benefit?
- Already get Housing Benefit? You’ll need to apply for Universal Credit
- Help with Council Tax
- Help with housing costs
- Benefit cap
- How to set up an account to register for Universal Credit
What is Universal Credit and how does it work?
You can find detailed guidance on the Universal Credit pages at GOV.UK.
Universal Credit replaces the following benefits and tax credits:
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
Do I apply for Universal Credit or Housing Benefit?
If you have reached state pension age, you need to apply for Housing Benefit.
If you are working aged, you can apply for Housing Benefit if you live in:
- Supported Accommodation (also known as Specified Accommodation) you can still claim Housing Benefit
- Temporary Accommodation, that is accommodation provided to you by the council if you are homeless
For anyone else of working age, you must apply for Universal Credit instead.
If you already get Housing Benefit
If you receive Housing Benefit and you’re of working age, you will be moved to Universal Credit as part of a national change known as Managed Migration.
Migration Notice
The DWP will send you a letter called a Migration Notice.
This letter tells you:
- when you must apply for Universal Credit
- when your Housing Benefit will end
- what support is available
You must apply for Universal Credit by the date shown in your letter.
Do not ignore your Migration Notice. Your Housing Benefit will stop even if you do not make a Universal Credit claim.
Help with Council Tax
Applying for Universal Credit does not give you Council Tax Reduction automatically.
If you are on a low income and you need help paying your Council Tax, you may be able to get help through the Council Tax Reduction scheme. You need to apply via filling in and submitting the Council Tax Reduction application form.
The DWP does not accept applications for:
- Council Tax Reduction
- Discretionary Housing Payments
Help with housing costs
If you need extra help with rent costs, you may be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).
You must apply directly to Bradford Council using the DHP application form.
Important: the DWP will not accept your application for Discretionary Housing Payment - you must apply directly to the council as soon as you can.
Benefit cap
What is a benefit cap?
A benefit cap sets a maximum amount of benefit a working age household can receive each year.
More details about the benefit cap can be found on the Gov.uk website.
I'm experiencing hardship due to the benefit cap. Can I get extra help?
If you are experience hardship as a result of the benefit cap, you may be able to claim additional help from the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme.
How to set up an email account for Universal Credit
Under Universal Credit, you must have an email account. This is used instead of traditional post to communicate with you. However, some claimants do not have an email address.
Setting up an account is quick and relatively easy, even if you don’t have great digital skills. The consumer body Which? provides some helpful advice on setting up email addresses.