Since April 2013, Universal Credits have been gradually rolled out across the country. Universal Credit is a single monthly payment for people both in and out of work, which merges together existing benefits and tax credits. The rollout to claimants is expected to begin in 2016 and to be completed in 2017.
Universal Credit will eventually replace the following benefits:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credits
- Housing Benefit
With effect from 9 November 2015, an additional 22 Jobcentres in Aberystwyth, Barnsbury, Barnstaple, Bideford, Cardigan, Diss, Exeter, Finsbury Park, Haverfordwest, Highgate, Honiton, Milford Haven, Newton Abbott, North Kensington, Pembroke Dock, St Marylebone, Scarborough, Selby, Tiverton, Totnes, Westminster and Whitby are offering Universal Credit.
All single people making a claim for unemployment benefits at these job centres will start claiming Universal Credits. For the time being, only selected jobcentres can deal with claims where the claimant lives with their partner and / or has children. The new system is helping to tackle benefit fraud and system errors. Any Universal Credit received is exempt from Income Tax.
Source: HM Revenue & Customs
