What changes in circumstance trigger a claim for Universal Credit?
The tables below gives examples of changes in circumstances that would mean a claim for Universal Credit or in some cases remaining on your existing legacy benefits.
Changes in circumstance
Change in employment status
Change in circumstances | What would happen before Universal Credit? | What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area? |
---|---|---|
On Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support or Income-related Employment Support Allowance | Claim Working Tax Credit | Claim Universal Credit |
On legacy benefit such as Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit and start work but not enough hours to satisfy Working Tax Credit | 'Legacy benefits' adjusted | Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off |
On Working Tax Credit and hours fall below 16 | Claim Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance | Claim Universal Credit |
On Income-related Employment and Support Allowance doing permitted work and work becomes permanent, hours increase over 16 or other reason for not satisfying permitted work rules | Potential Working Tax Credit claim | Claim Universal Credit |
On Child Tax Credit only and start work to satisfy Working Tax Credit rules | Claim Working Tax Credit | Remain on Child Tax Credit and claim Working Tax Credit |
On Working Tax Credit and increase hours | Stay on Working Tax Credit | Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off |
On Working Tax Credit and become sick | Claim Income-related Employment and Support Allowance | Claim Universal Credit |
Change in family circumstances
Change in circumstances | What would happen before Universal Credit? | What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area? |
---|---|---|
On Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Housing Benefit and household becomes responsible for a first child | Claim Child Tax Credit | Claim Universal Credit |
On Working Tax Credit only and household becomes responsible for a first child | Remain on Tax Credit and claim Child Tax Credit | Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off |
Lone parent on Income Support and youngest child turns 5 years old | Unless there is another reason to stay on Income Support, claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance | Unless there is another reason to stay on Income Support, claim Universal Credit |
On Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and baby due within 11 weeks | Claim Income Support | Claim Universal Credit |
Partner leaving/joining household (if it means a new claim to a legacy benefit, claim UC)
Change in circumstances | What would happen before Universal Credit? | What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area? |
---|---|---|
Couple on Tax Credits separate | Make separate claim for 'legacy benefits' | Both claim Universal Credit as single people |
Lone parent on Income Support and Child Tax Credit becomes a couple | Claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance and make new Tax Credit claim as a couple | Claim Universal Credit as a couple |
Couple on Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance with child under 5 become lone parents | Claim Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance | Both claim Universal Credit as single people |
Single person under pension age on 'legacy benefits' becomes a couple with person of Pension Credit qualifying age | Claim Pension Credit until Universal Credit is fully rolled out across the country | Claim Universal Credit when fully rolled out |
Carers
Change in circumstances | What would happen before Universal Credit? | What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area? |
---|---|---|
Satisfies Carer's Allowance rules which means a new 'legacy benefit' claim | Claim the relevant 'legacy benefits' | Claim Universal Credit |
Carer on Income Support stops being a carer | Unless there is a reason to stay on Income Support, claim Jobseeker's Allowance | Claim Universal Credit |
Tax Credits
Change in circumstances | What would happen before Universal Credit? | What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area? |
---|---|---|
Tax Credit renewal | Remain on Tax Credit | Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off |
On Tax Credit and change does not lead to a claim for a new 'legacy benefit' for example less income | Remain on Tax Credit | Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off |
Sickness
Change in circumstances | What would happen before Universal Credit? | What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area? |
---|---|---|
On Income-related Employment Support Allowance and fails Work Capability Assessment | Claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance | Claim Universal Credit. If you challenge Work Capability Assessment and win, remain on Universal Credit |
On Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and become sick | Claim Income-related Employment and Support Allowance | Claim Universal Credit |
Moving area and taking up a tenancy
Change in circumstances | What would happen before Universal Credit? | What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area? |
---|---|---|
Housing Benefit claimant moves into Southampton from another local authority | New claim for Housing Benefit | Claim Universal Credit |
Housing Benefit claimant moves into Southampton from the same local authority | Remain on Housing Benefit | Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off |
On Tax Credit, Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and take up a new tenancy for the first time | Claim Housing Benefit | Claim Universal Credit |
Other
Change in circumstances | What would happen before Universal Credit? | What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area? |
---|---|---|
On Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and attends court or jury service | Claim Income Support | Claim Universal Credit |
On Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and remanded in custody | Claim Income Support | Claim Universal Credit |
On Income Support and cease full time education | Claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance | Claim Universal Credit |
Income and/or capital goes over different threshold | Claim 'legacy benefit' (depending on income/capital rules) | Claim Universal Credit (depending on income/capital rules) |
On Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance and believed to be entitled to Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance | Claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance | Claim Universal Credit (treated as a new claim) |