Wealden District Council
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Wealden District Council > Benefits and Support > How are Welfare Benefits Changing > Universal Credit

Universal Credit

What is Universal credit ? (UC)

This is a benefit for people of working age on a low income and is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is a single monthly payment which will eventually replace:

  • Income Support.
  • Income Related Job Seeker’s Allowance.
  • Income Related Employment Support Allowance.
  • Housing Benefit.
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit.

Help with Council Tax

Help with Council Tax is not included in your Universal Credit payment.

You must apply for Council Tax Support through the council’s Benefits Service, and provide any evidence needed to support your claim.

If you don’t send your Council Tax Reduction claim to us when you apply for Universal Credit you may lose benefit entitlement as we may not be able to backdate it.

If  you are working and getting Universal Credit and your wages change each month this may mean you Council Tax reduction will change each month. If this is the case please contact our Council Tax Team to discuss payment.

If your earnings and Universal Credit increase Council Tax Reduction ends we will check your claim the following month. If Council Tax reduction then applies as your income has decreased we will start the help again.  If the Council Tax Reduction does not apply for 2 months you would need to Make a Benefit Claim  if your income reduces.

Help with housing costs

Any help you get with your rent will be included in your UC payment and you will be responsible for paying your landlord. In some circumstances payments can be made direct to the landlord, for example, when there are rent arrears or threat of eviction or you find it difficult to manage payments.

New benefit claimants

You must claim Universal credit if you live in the Wealden area unless one of the following applies:

  • Customer over Pension Credit age
  • Customer living in some supported accommodation

How to claim

Claim online via the Universal Credit Portal.

View the claim process prior to claiming on the Universal credit a guide to claiming video (external link)

Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) will still be administered by Wealden District Council even if you no longer claim Housing Benefit. You will need to have your housing costs met through Universal Credit. DHP can only be paid to meet the shortfall of Universal Credit Housing costs towards your rent. If once your Universal credit has been worked out the Housing payment does not meet your rent you can claim a Discretionary Housing Payments online.

Contact information