Universal Credit - Are you ready?

From December 2017, Universal Credit will be extended to couples and families with less than three children making new claims for the first time or by experiencing a change in benefits known as a "Trigger".

Triggers include:

• a loss of employment
• gaining employment
• another adult leaving the household
• another adult joining the household
• changing to another benefit (e.g. going from ESA to JSA)
• moving to a new area (e.g. London to Wolverhampton)

What do you need to do to prepare?

Photo ID: You need to have a valid passport, provisional driving licence or full driving licence. Failure to provide one of these may delay you claim being assessed

Bank Account :Make sure you've got a bank or credit union account set up. Your Universal Credit will be paid direct to you into an account

Email Address: You will need an up to date email as claims are made online

Mobile Number: Provide a mobile number to receive text updates about your 'Universal Credit Online Journal'

Start Saving: Your Universal Credit will be paid monthly, so for at least 4 weeks you will not receive any money. Make sure to plan ahead by adding a little extra each week to gas/electric. By building up this credit, you can make sure you have heat/electric during the waiting period.

Also, start saving a little extra toward essentials like food and rent. Your rent won't be paid direct to us, you will need to pay this yourself.

Why not open up a Credit Union account to help save a little each week or month. This way you'll have your first rent payment ready and you'll earn some interest on your savings too.

For more information, visit Universal Credit Wolverhampton.