December 2014 Welfare Reform What you need to know about Universal Credit What is What do I How do I make a claim? What if my circumstances change? need to do? You will need to make a claim for Universal If you are in receipt of Universal Credit and Credit online. If you don’t have your own have a change of circumstances (such as a Universal Credit? If you already claim facilities to do this, you can visit the Jobcentre partner or dependent child moves in, you start a benefit Plus or any of Allerdale Borough Council’s work, or you move house) you must report Universal Credit is a new benefit introduced offices. Details can be found on the back of this this to the Department for Work and Pensions If you already claim one as part of the Government’s Welfare Reform leaflet. (DWP) on: of the existing benefits programme. It replaces the six existing you will continue to do What do I need to make a claim? Telephone: 0845 600 0723 or 0345 600 0723 benefits with a single monthly payment so for now. You do not (check which one is cheaper for your phone for those who are out of work or on a low need to do anything. Make sure you have the following information package) before you start as you cannot save your income. If you are making a Textphone: 0845 600 0743 application and return to it later: new benefit claim Universal Credit replaces: If you need to supply the DWP with proof of • Your National Insurance number If you are newly your circumstances such as income, capital or • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) unemployed you may be • Details of the bank, building society or Post rental agreement you must post these to: • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Office account you want the money paid eligible to make a claim FREEPOST RTCX-RBUG-TUCU into • Income Support for Universal Credit. Universal Credit • Your rent agreement (if you have one) Faraday Court • Working Tax Credit Find out full information Faraday Way about Universal Credit • Details of your savings or other capital • Child Tax Credit and apply for it at www. Blackpool, • Details of any income that’s not from work • Housing Benefit gov.uk/universal-credit FY2 0SQ (e.g. from an insurance plan) If you are not eligible to Does this apply to me? claim Universal Credit • Details of any other benefits you’re getting you will be advised to Initially, Universal Credit will only apply if you are a single claim the other benefits as What support is available to help person or a couple with no children, and you are making a new normal. claim for benefits. Universal Credit will be gradually rolled out me budget? and extended to more groups of people in the future with all When you receive Universal Credit your claimants being switched to it by 2017. benefits will be consolidated into one monthly payment to be used for things like rent and You will be told when you make a claim, which benefit you are bills. The money will need to last you for the entitled to. whole month until the next payment. Personal budgeting support is available if you need help managing your money. You can get debt advice and help with managing your finances from Allerdale Borough Council. Please note For further information call 01900 702 650. If you require this document in a different format, contact us on 01900 702 702, or at one of our customer contact centres. Useful contacts

Allerdale Borough Council Citizens Advice Bureau Your local contact details: Workington Housing Associations: Telephone: 01900 702 650 Vulcan’s Lane, E: [email protected] Home Housing Association Workington CA14 2BT (0345) 141 4663 Allerdale House Drop-in session Mon, Weds, Fri Workington, CA14 3YJ 9:30-12:30 Derwent & Solway Opening times: (01900) 604 735 Housing Association / Monday to Thursday 8:45am - 5pm; Your Housing Group Friday 8:45am - 4.30pm. Outreach sessions: (0345) 345 0272 Maryport (Weds 9:15-1) Cockermouth Customer Cockermouth (Weds 10:15-12:30) Service Centre Impact Housing Association Fairfield Car Park Wigton (Mon 9-1) (0344) 873 6290 Cockermouth Keswick (Mon 10-3) Two Castles Housing CA13 9RT You may need an appointment, so Association please ring (01900) 604 735 for Keswick Customer (01228) 547 463 Contact Centre more information and check times Main Street, Keswick, and availability. Westfield Housing Association Cumbria, CA12 5JP (01900) 602 906 Maryport Customer Your local Jobcentre Plus: Service Centre 140-142 Vulcan’s Lane, Anchor Housing Association Town Hall, Senhouse Street Workington, CA14 2BW (0845) 140 2020 Maryport, CA15 6BH Budgeting Advice Wigton Local Links, West Cumbria Community Customer Service Centre Money Advice, Market Hall, Church Street Wigton, CA7 9AA The Bridge Centre, Central Square, Workington, CA14 3BG, Opening times: Tel No: 01900 62677 or Monday to Thursday 9am - 5pm; 07716176204 Friday 9am - 4.30pm

Cumbria Law Centre DWP Jobcentre Plus 8 Spencer St, Carlisle CA1 1BG http://www.gov.uk/dwp https://www.gov.uk/contact- (01228) 515129 jobcentre-plus (0845) 606 0234

Universal Credit: www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Disclaimer All details correct as of December 2014. There are a lot of changes being made to benefits and new information is being made available all of the time. This leaflet is intended as a guide only, but should not be relied upon to make important decisions about your financial situation. You should seek independent advice from a solicitor, Law Centre or Citizens Advice Bureau if in any doubt.