Universal Credit

 

Universal Credit is a benefit for working age people that replaces a number of existing benefits, including Housing Benefit / Local Housing Allowance.

It is a monthly payment to help with basic living expenses and housing costs if you are on a low income or out of work.

Find out more about Universal Credit

Mixed age couples

A mixed age couple is where one of you has reached State Pension age  and the other has not.

If you are a mixed age couple you cannot normally make a new claim for Housing Benefit , but may be able to claim Universal Credit instead.

If you are in a mixed age couple and already in receipt of Pension Credit and / or pension age Housing Benefit you will stay on those benefits as long as your circumstances remain the same and there is no break in your claim.

However if you have a break in your claim, or your circumstances change, you may need to make a claim for Universal Credit instead.

 

For Council Tax Support claims, you will be classed as a pension age couple if only one of you is State Pension age 

 

Claim Universal Credit

You can use a Benefit Calculator to see if you are eligible to claim Universal Credit and you can apply online here

If you claim Universal Credit your rent costs will be included as part of your claim, so you will not need to claim Housing Benefit separately.

However if you :

• Live in supported accommodation
• Have been placed in temporary accommodation by the Council

then this does not apply and you will need to make a claim for Housing Benefit.

 

If you receive Universal Credit you need to make a separate claim for help with your Council Tax. 

More information about Council Tax Support and an online claim form can be found here

*Please note that the same claim form can be used to apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support

If in doubt please do not hesitate to contact us