Universal Credit

Universal Credit Full Service was introduced in Derby on 11 July 2018.

This affects how most people at working age can claim help with their housing costs. 

It means that most working age people will have to make two separate claims for help with their Council Tax and their rent.

People at state pension age

If you are a pensioner you are not affected by Universal Credit. 

For help with your rent and/or Council Tax, you should claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support using our Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claim form. 

If you are not sure whether you are at pension age or not, you can use the government's pension age calculator. 

People at working age

If you need help with your rent, you can only apply for Housing Benefit if you are in one of the following groups:

• you are at state pension age
• you, or your partner are at state pension age
• you are living in Specified Accommodation (and you need care, support or supervision)
• you have been placed in temporary accommodation by the Council

If you are in one of these groups you need to make one joint claim with the Council for help with your rent and your Council Tax using our Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claim form.

If you are not in one of the above groups you need to make two separate claims: one for help with your Council Tax and one for help with your rent:

(a) For help with your Council Tax you must claim Council Tax Support from the Council by using our Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claim form. 

Council Tax Support is our local reduction Scheme to help you pay Council Tax for the home you live in. Both tenants and home owners, including those on low income, benefits and Universal Credit can claim Council Tax Support, as long as you have a liability to pay Council Tax. 

We will assess your entitlement to receive help with your Council Tax, as long as you provide the information we ask you for.

If you qualify for help we will reduce your Council Tax bill. 

Do not delay making your claim with us, as you could lose out on help with making your Council Tax payments.  

(b) For help with your rent, you must apply online to claim Universal Credit from the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP).

The DWP will assess your entitlement to receive help with your rent as part of your Universal Credit claim, as long as you provide the information it asks you for. Do not delay making your claim, as you could lose out on help with making your rent payments.

Universal Credit will not give you any help with your Council Tax so it is very important that you also make a separate claim with the Council, for Council Tax Support, if you have a Council Tax liability.

How can I get more information about Universal Credit?

You can find out more information about Universal Credit by:

• visiting the Government Universal Credit website
• viewing the guidance about Universal Credit and You
  
• filling in the questionnaire to find out if you are ready for Universal Credit and what you should do to prepare 
• viewing the Digital Inclusion leaflet to find out more about how to get online
• for partner organisations use the toolkit.

Help with managing your money

There are some useful budgeting tools provided by the Money Advice Service. These include a Money Manager or Universal Credit claimants.

You can also view the latest List of banks with fee free accounts‌.