The Government introduced a temporary £20 weekly increase in payments for those claiming Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits on 6 April 2020. The £20 weekly uplift was stopped on 6 October 2021. For help with budgeting or debt advice visit Citizens Advice
Universal Credit is mainly for people of working age.
It replaces these benefits for most working-age
people:
- Housing Benefit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income Support
Help with housing costs
Working-age people - Universal Credit covers housing costs for most working-age people. But if you live in supported or temporary accommodation you need to claim Housing Benefit to help with housing costs .
Pension-age people - If you are pension-age you either claim help with housing costs from Housing Benefit or you claim help with housing costs from Universal Credit - it depends on your circumstances.
Help with Council Tax
Universal Credit does not cover help with Council Tax for anyone. Read how to claim Council Tax Support to help with your Council Tax.