Overview
Universal Credit is being rolled out to replace six older benefits which are
- Income based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit (for working age people)
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
If you receive one of those benefits you are due to be moved onto Universal Credit by the end of the 2028/2029 tax year.
Who can claim
To be eligible for universal credit you must:
- be 18 or over;
- be under the qualifying age for pension credit
- be habitually resident and have the right to reside in the UK
- not be in education
- not have capital of more than £16,000
- any earnings or income you have must not be too high for any universal credit to be paid.
How to claim
You can claim Universal credit online Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you need help to claim Citizens Advice can help you Help to Claim Universal Credit | Citizens Advice Scotland (cas.org.uk)
Before you start
What you need:
Your online claim will time out after 20 minutes of no activity so make sure you have all the following information before you start for yourself and your partner:
- your postcode
- your NI number
- details of your bank, building society, credit union or Post Office card account
- the type of accommodation you have and how much rent you pay
- your landlord’s address and landlord’s phone number
- details of any savings you have and any other ‘capital’ investments
- details of any income that’s not from work, eg from a pension or insurance plan
- details of how much you earn from work,
- how much you pay for childcare
- details of any other benefits you’re getting
- child benefit reference numbers for any children you have. It is likely that you will only receive amounts for a maximum of two children.
How you get paid
If you are successful, you should get your first payment 5-6 weeks after you made your claim. If you need money during this time, you can apply for an advance payment loan. This will then be repaid by reducing the amount you get each month until the advance payment is repaid. In some areas of Scotland you may be able to get help during this time from your council’s Scottish Welfare Fund.
Universal Credit is usually paid monthly. In Scotland you can choose to receive your money twice a month.
The Interview
You will need to go to an interview at a Jobcentre to finish your application. This is called a ‘work search interview’ or ‘claimant commitment interview’.
After checking your claim, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will contact you to arrange this interview. If you don’t attend, your application will be cancelled and you will have to start again.
The interview will be with a member of staff who will be your ‘work coach’. If you’re in a couple you’ll have separate interviews.
The purpose of the interview is to:
- check you are who you say you are
- help you understand how Universal Credit works and what will happen next
- look at your situation and assess whether you need to take steps to look for work as a condition of qualifying for Universal Credit
- arrange your ‘claimant commitment’ and you’ll have to sign it
Claimant Commitment
Your Claimant Commitment will set out what (if anything) you must do to prepare for and look for work, or to increase your earnings if you are already working. It will be based on your personal circumstances and will be reviewed regularly.
Sanctions
Your Claimant Commitment will state what will happen if you don’t meet your responsibilities. You may have a cut in your benefit, known as a sanction, if you fail to meet one of your responsibilities and can’t give a good reason to explain why.
Work and Universal Credit
Your Universal Credit payment will reduce gradually as you earn more. Some people will qualify for a work allowance, but after that for every £1 you earn your Universal Credit payment will be reduced by 65p.
Information last updated on 31 January 2024. Please note that information may be subject to change. All information is provided in good faith but Disability Information Scotland does not endorse any product or service referred to within this resource.
If you would like this information guide in another version then please contact us and we will post or email you a copy.
Money, Benefits & Grants:Frequently Asked Questions
Through our helpline we receive enquiries spanning a wide range of different topics. Here is a selection of those most asked:
Can I get a reduction of Vehicle Excise Duty?
If you are disabled you may be entitled to a reduction or exemption on vehicle tax if you meet the government criteria. The vehicle must be registered in your name or a named driver’s name and must only be used for your personal needs.
You can apply for exemption if you get the:
- higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment – mygov.scot
- War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the Personal Independence Payment standard rate mobility component or Adult Disability Payment standard rate mobility component Adult Disability Payment – mygov.scot
Am I entitled to benefits?
A benefits check is a calculation that will give you an idea of what you might be entitled to. You can get a check at your local welfare rights project, local Council Money Advice , Citizens Advice Bureau. or a charity like Age Scotland. Age Scotland has a guide to what to expect M 15 ben check 2023.indd (ageuk.org.uk) and an online benefit calculator.
You can also use the Turn2us benefit calculator online.
To find your local welfare rights service search our Scottish Disability Directory. or contact our helpline on 0300 323 9961.
What help is there with energy costs?
Energy costs used to be a worry in winter but now bills can be a challenge all year round.
The good news is there are different grants and schemes available to help people improve the heating in their homes and keep heating costs down. Check out our Help to heat your home guide for more information.
Home Energy Scotland is a free energy advice service funded by the Scottish Government to help people save money and keep their homes warmer. They offer simple energy saving tips, know about funding schemes and can arrange benefits checks to help people access help.
You can call Home Energy Scotland’s free helpline on 0808 808 2282 to check what support you might be entitled to, text WARM to 60163 for a call back or email advice@se.homeenergyscotland.org.
Am I eligible for VAT relief on disability equipment?
In general, disabled people do not have to pay VAT on goods and services that are designed or adapted solely for use by disabled people. These goods and services are often called zero-rated or eligible for VAT relief.
Most suppliers will know if their product has been specifically designed to help disabled people. They will offer their products free of VAT as you buy them.
You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet the conditions for zero rating. Your supplier may give you a form for this.
Most suppliers will use the Notice 701/7 VAT relief for disabled people form.
For further information see our VAT Exemption for Disabled Goods Information Guide or call our helpline on 0300 323 9961.
Money, Benefits & Grants:Search for Local Organisations
Our quick search tool can connect you to over 3000 service providers, suppliers and organisations supporting people across Scotland. To find support near you, simply enter your search term and select your local authority.
Organisation | Description |
---|---|
Butterly Trust | Aims: To provide support in the community for people affected by Cystic Fibrosis. Services provided: Information and advice on services and other resources and guidance on how to acquire them Practical help that includes assistance with official forms… |
Caithness Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) – Thurso and Wick | Local citizens advice bureau |
Carers Allowance Unit | Government department handling Carers Allowance claims |
Carers of East Lothian | Provide direct services to carers living in East Lothian |
Castlemilk Citizens Advice Bureau | Local citizens advice bureau providing advice and information |
Central Borders Citizens Advice Bureau | Provide information and advice to people living in the local area |
Challenger Children’s Fund | Aims: To give financial help to physically disabled children under the age of eighteen who reside in Scotland Summary: Funding is provided to meet a specific need not covered by statutory sources, e.g. clothing, apparatus, equipment, household applianc… |
CHAP | Aims: To provide advice, information and advocacy support on housing, debt and welfare rights issues. Services provided: • Housing Advice and Advocacy • Welfare Rights advice • Debt Advice • Assistance for those facing mortgage repossession • Homelessn… |
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland | Support organisation for people with chest, heart & stroke conditions |
Child Poverty Action Group | Promotes the relief of poverty among children and families |
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