My Money - Universal Credit

Universal Credit

​What is Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It is usually paid monthly. You may be able to get it if you're 18, on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.

You’ll get one standard allowance for your household.

How much you’ll get monthly will depend on your age and relationship status.

Multiple Choice

Alex is an 18 year old, Unemployed, care leaver. Is he eligible  to claim Universal Credit?

• Yes

• No

​Monthly standard allowance

• If you’re single and under 25 £311.68

• If you’re single and 25 or over £393.45

• If you live with your partner and you’re both under 25 £489.23 (for you both)

• If you live with your partner and either of you are 25 or over £617.60 (for you both)

Multiple Choice

How much is the standard monthly allowance for a single, Universal Credit claimant age between 18 and 25?

• £311.68

• £393.45

• £489.23

• £617.60

​When does your Universal Credit Get Paid?

Universal Credit is paid once a month on the same date, usually into your bank, building society or credit union account.

What time does Universal Credit go into my bank account?

Universal Credit is normally paid shortly after midnight on the day of your payment, although some banks may deposit the funds earlier at around 11.30 pm the night before.

Multiple Choice

How often is Universal Credit is paid?

• Every 28 days

• Every 4 weeks 

• Once per month, on the same date

​What if I do not have a bank account?

If you're making a claim with a partner, only one of you needs a bank account. If you don't have a partner with a bank account, you can use a friend or family member's bank account for your first payment.

You'll need to get their permission first. You'll need to get your own bank account before your second payment.

Multiple Choice

Milly does not have a bank account can she claim Universal Credit?

• Yes, no one should be without money.

• No, it could been seen as fraud. 

• Yes, but she will need to get her own account before the second payment is made.

• Yes, but she will need the permission of the account holder's account she intends to use and  get her own account before the second payment is made.

​New Claimant Commitment

To get Universal Credit payments, you’ll need to accept an agreement called a ‘claimant commitment’.

This is a record of what you agree to do to:

• prepare for and look for work

• increase your earnings, if you are already working.

​
You must accept your claimant commitment in your online account or your Universal Credit claim will be stopped.

You must do everything you agree to in your commitment or your payment could be reduced or stopped. This is called a sanction.

Multiple Choice

Asif has claimed for Universal Credit, but has been told by his support worker that agreeing to the claimant commitment  is optional.

Is this true or false?

• True

• False

Multiple Select

If sanctioned claimants could

• be fined 

• see a reduction in their payments

• have their payments stopped

• be asked to do voluntary work

​Agreeing to your commitments

You will have a meeting to discuss your claimant commitment, usually at the job centre.
In this meeting you’ll discuss your circumstances and talk about anything that could make it hard for you to do what’s in your commitment.

For example, if you have a mental health condition, or if you care for someone.

Your claimant commitment is reviewed regularly and will change if your circumstances change.

For example, if you get ill.

Universal Credit claimts can be asked to:
Look for a job if they are unemployed.
If they have a job, they might need to look for a better paid job or try to work more hours. If they not able to work now but will be able to in the future, they might need to prepare for work, this could include things like writing a CV or attending a training course.

Multiple Select

If you claim Universal Credit you could be asked to

• look for work

• look for a better paid job

• look for work which offers more hours

• prepare a CV

• attend training courses

​Your Work Coach
If you need to look for work, you will get help from a ‘work coach’.
Your work coach can help with things like applying for jobs, accessing training or looking for work in your area.

Attending appointments
You may need to attend regular appointments. These are usually in the jobcentre, but could also be by phone. If you miss an appointment, you’ll need to provide a good reason for not attending. If your reason is not accepted, you could get a sanction and your Universal Credit payment will be reduced.

Managing your claim online
You will have to manage your claim in your online account.
You might have to reply to messages, record your childcare costs, or tell us what you’ve done to look for work.
You’ll get a text or email when you need to do something in your online account.
You will also have to report changes in your circumstances.

Multiple Select

The role of your work coach is to help you

• apply for jobs

• access training 

• look for work in your local area