Other information you How to get help from should know 'Help to Claim'

Universal Credit works differently from You can get help by telephone, webchat or face-to-face, Monday to Friday: 'Help to Claim' other benefits. The biggest differences are: • National freephone number: 0800 144 8 444 service • The amount of money you receive (8am – 6pm) may change. • Webchat at: • You can get Universal Credit if you're www.citizensadvice.org.uk unemployed but also if you're working. (8am – 6pm)

• You'll usually get a single payment • Citizens Advice (9am – 4pm) each month, rather than weekly or Westminster Buildings, 31 New York Street, fortnightly. Leeds LS2 7DT

• Instead of getting a separate housing • Chapeltown Citizens Advice benefit payment, your rent will usually (9am – 4pm) be paid directly to you as part of your Willow House, New Roscoe Buildings, monthly Universal Credit payment. Cross Francis Street, Leeds LS7 4BZ • Call our local number to find out about If you’re appealing an existing other locations: benefit decision 0113 223 4400 The position for people appealing an (9am–5pm) existing benefit decision can be complicated - seek advice if you are in You can find out more about Universal this situation. Credit at: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/ universal-credit/ Council Tax Reduction If you claim Universal Credit you will have to apply seperately for Council Tax Reduction. It won't affect the amount of Universal Credit you get. Published March 2019 Citizens Advice Leeds & Chapeltown Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice is an operating name of The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. Registered charity number 279057. What is Universal Credit? Claiming Universal Credit Universal Credit replaces 6 existing Claims for Universal Credit are usually made online via the government’s Universal Credit website: benefits/tax credits: www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk • • Income-related Employment and To get Universal Credit, you must: Support Allowance (ESA) • be 18 or over - or in some cases if you’re 16 or 17 • be under the State qualifying age (if you are of State Pension Credit age you will continue • Income-based Jobseeker's to claim Pension Credit and Housing Benefit rather than Universal Credit) Allowance (JSA) • have less than £16,000 in savings • Child Tax Credit • not be getting a benefit with a severe disability premium • • not have recently stopped getting a benefit with a severe disability premium • • not be in full-time education or training - though there are some exceptions • live in the UK - and there are extra rules if you’re not a British citizen Whether you should apply for Universal Credit instead of one of Help to make a claim is available at your local Jobcentre Plus office or at Citizens Advice Leeds and Chapeltown Citizens Advice offices. If you have difficulty using online services you may be able to make a these benefits depends on your claim by telephone. circumstances. Your entitlement to Universal Credit will be dated from when your claim and all relevant documents are If you are already receiving one of submitted. The information/documents you will need to make a claim are: the 6 benefits/tax credits that Universal Credit replaces you will • Your telephone number • Your National Insurance number continue to do so until you receive • Your postcode • Proof of your nationality • Your email address • Your housing details notification from the DWP that you • Information about your health • Details of any other benefits you receive need to transfer to Universal Credit. Or if there is a relevant change in • Details about people who live with you – such as your partner, dependent children, or lodgers circumstances. • Child Benefit reference numbers if applicable • Details of your employer ( if you or your partner are working) If you are unsure, you should always • Details about any earnings or other income, savings, investments or other capital that you or your seek advice before making a claim partner have for Universal Credit. Once a claim is • Details of your bank, building society or credit union account that you would like your Universal Credit payments to be paid into. The account must be in your name and must be a current account rather than made you may not be able to go a savings account. back onto your original benefit.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) manages all Jobcentre Plus offices in Leeds Universal Credit claims and To find your local Jobcentre Plus office telephone 0800 169 0190 or go to: payments. www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk