Universal Credit Guidance | bestwoodadvicecentre

FACTSHEET 1

Universal Credit

This is a changing time, and the information was written as of 25 March 2020, this will updated when required

Information and support available if you are affected by the Corona Virus

Applying for Universal Credit (UC) 

Don’t delay in making a benefit claim, even if you think you may be affected by coronavirus.

You can apply for Universal Credit online https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit. If you are eligible you will need to make an appointment for your new claim interview. This interview will take place by telephone with a work coach. You will be given the number to call to book this appointment when you have submitted your claim.

Universal Credit users are experiencing extended waiting times for GOV.UK Verify. We appreciate how frustrating this is and they are working to improve the situation as quickly as possible.

If you need to claim Universal Credit or New style Employment and Support Allowance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance because of coronavirus, you will not be required to produce a Fit Note.

If you are affected by coronavirus you will be able to apply for Universal Credit and can receive up to a month’s advance upfront without physically attending a jobcentre.

You make the claim for UC online https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit if this is not possible you can contact

The help to claim service 0800 144 8444
Universal Credit helpline 0800 328 5644

If you apply for UC you will need to make an appointment for your new claim interview. This interview will take place by telephone with a work coach. You will be given the number to call to book this appointment when you have submitted your claim.

Universal Credit users are experiencing extended waiting times for GOV.UK Verify. We appreciate how frustrating this is and we are working to improve the situation as quickly as possible.

If you’re already claiming Universal Credit and think you may have been affected by coronavirus, please contact your work coach as soon as possible.

If you are in work and already claiming Universal Credit, and are staying at home on Government advice, you should report this in the usual way via your online journal. If this means you are working fewer hours, the amount of Universal Credit you receive will adjust as your earnings change.

For more information about any aspect of Universal Credit, including how to make a claim, visit https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit.

Self-employed people

If you are self-employed and claiming Universal Credit, and are required to stay at home or are ill as a result of coronavirus, the minimum income floor (an assumed level of income) will not be applied for a period of time whilst you are affected.

From 6 April the requirements of the Minimum Income Floor will be temporarily relaxed. This change will apply to all Universal Credit claimants and will last for the duration of the outbreak. New claimants will not need to attend the jobcentre to demonstrate gainful self-employment.

Every self-employed person can now access, in full, Universal Credit at a rate equivalent to Statutory Sick Pay for employees

HMRC has offered time to pay flexibility over the payment of tax for self-employed people and established a Helpline 0800 0159 559.

Claimants already in receipt of Universal Credit

If you are self-employed and are making a new application for Universal Credit, you will not need to attend the jobcentre to demonstrate gainful self-employment.