Universal Credit Support

Following the recent rental change, you may need to update your housing costs through your local authority. This change will take effect on the 1st of January 2026.

Recent changes to the benefits system mean that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has now moved eligible claimants onto Universal Credit. We’ve created this webpage to help guide you and provide guidance through the Universal Credit process and what to expect along the way.

For more information or if you have any concerns about how this may affect you, please contact Danielle Porter, our Welfare Reform Officer, by emailing danielle.porter@orwell-housing.co.uk You can also call Danielle on 01473 228 652.

Starter Information of Universal Credit
To find out the who, where, what, when and how, we have shared a few links to .gov webpages which can help with understanding Universal Credit.
- https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/new-to-universal-credit/is-it-for-me/
- https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit
Information after receiving the migration notice

If a tenant receives a Migration Notice letter, they have three months to make a claim to Universal Credit before their tax credit payments end. Their tax credits will end even if you do not claim Universal Credit.

If the applicant needs help to claim Universal Credit, or they can't claim by the deadline date given on the letter, they can contact the Universal Credit Helpline on:

Freephone: 0800 012 1331

Textphone: 0800 012 1441 (for deaf users, those with hearing loss, and users with speech and communication needs) - A UC Video Relay service is available for sign language users.
Citizens Advice - Help to claim service
Here we have information from Citizens Advice, click on the links below to find out more about the claim service.
- https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/what-universal-credit-is/
- https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/
Advice and guidance - Before applying
We suggest you going through this information before applying for Universal Credit, especially for Voluntary Migration. Click on the various links below to find out more.
Debt advice/guidance
If you need a helping hand in debt advice or guidance, we have some very helpful links below to available services. Click on the links below to find out more.