Find out if you’re due to be moved onto universal credit soon

If you’re claiming tax credits and you haven’t been moved to universal credit yet, you may be due a letter in the post.

The Department for Work and Pensions is writing to people who haven’t been moved over yet, explaining what they need to do.

Three months to act

Once you receive a letter, you have three months to act or you could lose your existing benefits.

People in a number of locations have already received their letters and may have been moved to universal credit already.

But if you’re claiming tax credits and you live in any of the following regions you should get your letter this month:

• Cumbria
• Dorset
• East Scotland
• Hampshire
• Isle of Wight
• Lancashire
• Southwest Wales
• Wiltshire

People living in the final two regions to be moved across should be sent a letter next month. These regions are:

• Central Scotland
• Southeast Wales

If you live anywhere else, you should already have received your letter.

How will the move to universal credit affect me?

Most people will be better off after moving to universal credit.

And even if you lose money as a result of the switch, you will usually get a top-up payment known as transitional protection.

The transitional protection reduces over time as your universal credit allowance increases.

You will usually get transitional protection automatically so you shouldn’t have to apply for it.

If you have any questions about the move to universal credit, speak to a benefits adviser.

What is universal credit?

Universal credit was introduced to combine a number of previous benefits into one payment.

You might be eligible for universal credit if:

• you live in the UK
• you’re on a low income or out of work
• you’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 or 17)
• you or your partner are under state pension age
• you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings

How much is universal credit?

There is a standard allowance. You may get additional payments on top of this depending on your situation.

The standard monthly allowance is:

Single, under 25	£292.11
Single, 25 and over	£368.74
Joint claimants, both under 25	£458.51 (in total)
Joint claimants, at least one 25 or over	£578.82 (in total)

                           

Additional payments if you have children:

If you have a child born before 6 April 2017	£315
If you have a child born on or after 6 April 2017 or second child and any other eligible children	£269.58
If any of your children are disabled you’ll get an extra	£146.31
If any of your children are severely disabled you’ll get an extra	£456.89

 

Additional payments if you have a disability

For those with limited capability for work who started their health-related universal credit or employment and support allowance claim before 3 April 2017	£146.31
For those with limited capability for work or work-related activity	£390.06

 

Additional payments if you’re a carer

If you’re caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week

£185.86