Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a monthly payment for people of working age on a low income. It is administered by the government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs and replaces the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income Related Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income Related Employment Support Allowance
  • Housing Benefit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit

To find out if you are eligible for Universal Credit, visit the gov.uk website.

If you are living in supported accommodation or are of pensionable age, you will need to continue claiming Housing Benefit, not Universal Credit. Find out more on the LGSS website.

Universal Credit is separate to Council Tax Support. If you are claiming for Universal Credit for the first time, you should apply for Council Tax Support straight away too: you do not need to wait for your Universal Credit claim to be approved.

Claim Universal Credit

Cost of living support

Find information to help you with the cost of living, including charities who can help with food, fuel and mental wellbeing, on our Cost of living support page.

Help to Claim advice service

Horsham Jobcentre Plus provides a free service to help residents claim Universal Credit. Find out more about the Universal Credit: Help to Claim service.