Start by checking to see if you are eligible here: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility
If so, complete the online application here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit
The system is currently dealing with a heavy backlog, so get the claim in as soon as possible.
One quick tip: The DWP have said the UC application website is least busy after 9pm (with the absolute quietest time at 4am). If possible, complete your claim after 9pm for the smoothest process.
The digital skills people at LearnMyWay have lots of information about UC and how to manage a claim in the form of a short course here: https://www.learnmyway.com/courses/universal-credit-a-how-to-guide/
And, of course, Quids in! has a guide to the whole system available in its Store here
First, check if you are eligible. You can find that info here: https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility
If you are eligible, you can call jobcentre plus to make a claim: Telephone: 0800 169 0350.
It may be that you can claim for Universal Credit instead, in which case, check you’re eligible here: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility
And apply online here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit
To get SSP you need to be an employee (not self-employed) and earn an average of £118 per week. For those of us that can’t claim SSP, the government announced they are making it easier to claim Universal Credit and ESA (Employment and Support Allowance). Some of the measures that have been put in place to make claiming easier include:
Not needing to provide a ‘fit note’ to make a new claim for UC or ESA;
A month’s UC paid upfront as an advance without needing to attend the jobcentre;
The seven day wait for new ESA claimants has been reduced, and will now be payable from day one.
More info:
- https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses
- BBC info: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51628524
Also, the government have now announced that self-employed workers may be able to receive a one-off grant in June. The grant (The Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme) is available to self-employed workers who have an average trading profit of less than £50,000 over the past three tax years. Or, if we have only been self-employed for one year (2018/19 tax year) our earnings must be less than £50,000.
The grant is only available to people whose self-employed earnings make up more than half of their annual income. The government will be in touch directly with those of us who are eligible for the grant. The grant will cover a three-month period (March – May) and will cover 80% of lost earnings up to £2,500 per month (so £7,500 in all).
More info on The Coronavirus Self-employment Income Support Scheme is available on the government’s website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme
You can take on temp work if you get permission from your employer in advance. If you need money now you can apply for UC and they will look at your individual case.
Apply for Universal Credit online here: gov.uk/apply-universal-credit
No. Although there have been calls by charities and campaigners for a suspension of the benefit cap to help ease financial hardship during the current crisis, this has not been a measure announced by the Government.
To find out more about the benefit cap click here moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/the-benefit-cap
Assets are not taken into account when claiming Universal Credit, but savings of £6,000 and up are. Owning your own home and car will not stop you claiming UC. In fact, there may be some extra benefits you can apply for as a part of the Universal Credit claim.
This info is from the government in relation to UC:
Owner-occupiers who are leaseholders can get help with service charges paid as a housing element within Universal Credit. Although you normally have to serve a waiting period of approximately nine months from the date of your Universal Credit claim before you can receive this help.
Help with mortgage interest payments is available in the form of a loan on which you will be charged interest. This is separate from your claim for Universal Credit. Please read our Support for Mortgage Interest Loan guide for more detailed information about this loan
Read more here: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit-housing-costs/How-much-will-I-get-I-m-a-homeowner#guide-content
According to our friends at Turn2us, the grant should be treated as a ‘gift’ unless it increases our savings or investments to over the £6,000 limit. It’s more complicated if we have between £6,000 and £18,000 stashed away.
There is a factsheet about grants on the Turn2us website here: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/Grants-what-you-need-to-know
If a grant is not treated as a grant, appeal and make reference to the Turn2us information.
The Government has announced that debt recovery is due to be suspended as soon as possible. Historical Tax Credit debts, Benefit Overpayments and Social Fund repayments are intended to be included in the suspension but do not currently include Universal Credit Advance repayments.
For more details click here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/recovery-of-benefit-overpayment-suspended
Check if you can get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay
If not, you may be entitled to benefits, so check and apply as soon as you can. Check here https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou to see what benefits you can apply for.
You can check if you are eligible for Universal Credit here https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit and you can apply for Universal Credit here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit
There is also information on applying for New Style ESA here
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance-detailed-guide.
The government has put a hold on all new evictions for 3 months, and it is always worth discussing your situation with your landlord. For more information on your rights as an employee, check here https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus
And for housing advice, check the Shelter website https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/coronavirus#Rent_payment_problems
If we are claiming Universal Credit (UC) and have (or may have) contracted coronavirus and are self-isolating, we’re not expected to search for work. Nor are we expected to be available for work, the way UC claimants usually are. We must contact our Work Coach as soon as possible to let them know, either through the online journal or the UC helpline.
Advice is changing all the time and the period of self-isolation this covers could vary. Same applies if we usually search for work at a public place, like a library, which are all currently shut down.
More info on the Gov website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses
Updated 06/04/2020
No. For three months (minimum, this may be extended) no-one is expected to attend appointments in person at the jobcentre. This goes for all of us who currently claim benefits, and for all new claimants too. But we must contact our Work Coach as soon as possible to let them know if we’re unable to work due to coronavirus, either through the online journal or the Universal Credit helpline.
Updated 06/04/2020
