Move to Universal Credit

The Welfare Reform Act 2012 changed the law, regarding the way financial help for working age customers on a low income who rented their homes was calculated and paid. 

Under the new rules, help with rent for this group of people, would move from housing benefit (administered by the local authority) to Universal Credit (administered by the Department of Work and Pensions). 
 
Universal Credit has been replacing the following benefits on a phase basis since April 2013: 

• Housing Benefit 
• Tax Credits 
• Income Support 
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance 
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance  

In April 2024, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) have moved to a new phase on the migration process. This means the DWP will start to contact working age people on legacy benefits to advise them to claim Universal Credit. 

Any working age customer who is living in temporary or supported accommodation provided by a registered social landlord will still need to claim housing costs from the Local Authority.