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Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a new, single payment for working age people who are looking for work or on a low income.

Universal Credit is being introduced gradually over the next 2 years. In Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, Universal Credit started on 28 September 2015 and it will replace:

Child Tax Credit
Housing Benefit (*see note below regarding Council Tax Reduction)
Income based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Working Tax Credit

Work and Universal Credit

With Universal Credit, there are no limits to the number of hours that you can work. Your credit payment will reduce gradually as your own earnings increase so you won't lose all your benefits at once if you are on a low income.

A new website has been set up by the Department for Work and Pensions providing advice and tips about finding and applying for jobs. It offers practical help about how to create a CV and offers advice directly from employers and recruiters. Visit the website by following the link: Daily Job Seeker

Where can I get more information about Universal Credit and what it means for me?

To find out more about Universal Credit, whether you are eligible and how to claim it, you can use the app:

A map showing free Wi-Fi and public computer locations across Babergh and Mid Suffolk:

Alternatively:

Go online to Money Advice Service, Universal Credit
Download the 'My council' app for your smartphone either from the iTunes app store or from Google Play
Access the 'looking local' channel on Sky channel 539 and then press the red button
Access the 'looking local' channel on Virgin channel 233 and then press the red button (or you can choose 'home/interactive/sports/news and info/looking local')
Access 'looking local' from your internet capable games console
Access 'looking local' on Facebook