Universal Credit

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Income Support
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit

Support for vulnerable claimants

The definition of a vulnerable claimant is ‘an individual who is identified as having complex needs and requires additional support to enable them to access Universal Credit Services’.

Support for financially vulnerable claimants. These are claimants who have debt such as rent arrears or other debt.

• Claimants may be referred to Finance Support, i.e. Discretionary Support.
• Claimants will be signposted to third sector provision for advice on how to manage their finances, including budgeting support.

Support for non-digital claimants. These are claimants who have low digital skills or do not have digital access.

• Assistance over the phone or face to face for claimants with limited IT literacy.
• Assisted access for claimants who do not have IT access.
• Home visits will be carried out, when required.

Support for socially vulnerable claimants. These are claimants who have no ID, or who have health conditions, drug or alcohol dependencies, cognitive impairment, complex housing needs, or who are homeless or care-leavers.

• Specific tailoring due to the complexity of the claim.
• Support could include Financial Capability advice including budgeting support, and assistance with completing a claim. Claimants may be referred to Financial Support, i.e. Discretionary Support.

Get more confidence online:

As the only way you can apply for Universal Credit is online, it is really important that you are familiar with the internet and how it works. You will need to manage your Universal Credit account online the way you would manage an online bank account, so it is also advisable to familiarise yourself with these kind of sites.
 

When applying, you will need the following:

• National Insurance number
• An email address
• Your postcode
• Your landlord’s details, which are: Radius Housing, Radius House, Redburn Square, Holywood, BT18 9HZ
• Details of the bank or building society account you want Universal Credit to be paid into
• Details of savings or other capital you have
• Details of any income that is not from work
• Details of your housing costs (rental cost and a breakdown of these charges)
• Details of any other benefits you are receiving

You will be asked to provide details of all the people who live in your home, such as your partner and children. You may also be asked to provide evidence that confirms your information, such as bank statements. You will need to provide this evidence within one calendar month of making your claim. 

To apply online, you will need photographic ID, a bank account, a mobile phone number and an email address. If you need help when completing any forms relating to this, please contact your Income Officer who can visit you at home or refer you to another agency or organisation that can help you.