From July 2024 all tenants of working age in receipt of housing benefit and from September 2024 all tenants who currently claim income-based jobseekers allowance and all tenants who are in a mixed age relationship in receipt of pension credit will be migrated across to Universal Credit (UC).
When you receive your Migration Notice letter (MNL) from DWP you will have a maximum of three months from the date the letter was sent to make the claim. DWP will ensure that when you receive your MNL that your income will be the same as it was on your old benefit (transitional protection), this amount may change over time.
If you do not make the claim for UC your existing benefits will end and any mitigating payments will not be stopped.
When you make your claim for UC you should have the following information to hand:
Bank or building society account details
Email address
Housing costs (UC ONLY COVERS THE RENT ELEMENT OF YOUR HOUSING COSTS, YOU MUST ALSO CLAIM RATE REBATE TO COVER THE RATE ELEMENT)
Landlord details
Details of earnings if applicable e.g. payslips
National insurance number
Information regarding others benefits you are in receipt of i.e. PIP or Carers Allowance
Details of any disability or health condition that may affect your ability to work
Childcare costs, if appropriate
Details of any savings or investments
Once your claim has been submitted to UC, we will verify your rent details on the UC portal, at this time we will request payment (APA) of the rent element is paid directly to us.
If you have any issues regarding access to the internet or using a computer during the claim process WSCHA will be able to assist you making the claim online, you can also make your claim over the telephone of by making an appointment at a local Jobs & Benefits office. Telephone numbers will be on your migration notice.
Rate rebate can be claimed by going online to NI Direct, rate rebate scheme or by telephoning 0300 200 7802. It is very important that you make the claim for RR as failure to claim will result in you having to pay the rates of the property yourself.
DO NOT MAKE THE MOVE TO UC BEFORE YOU RECEIVE YOUR MIGRATION NOTICE LETTER OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR TRANSITIONAL PROTECTION.