Universal Credit

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    What is Universal Credit?

    Universal Credit is a benefit payment for people under Pension Credit age. It provides one payment for housing, employment, children and income.

    How is Universal Credit paid?

    Visit the Newcastle City Council website to read more about how Universal Credit is paid.

    Payments are made 1 month in arrears. It may take up to 5 weeks to receive your first payment.  It is possible to get discretionary advance payments, if you meet certain criteria.  The housing costs element of Universal Credit which replaces Housing Benefit for most tenants, will normally be paid direct to you. You then have to pay your landlord. However you can ask for it to be paid direct to your landlord under the Alternative Payment Arrangements scheme.

    To receive Universal Credit you will usually need an account with a bank, a building society or a Credit Union. If you can’t use such an account, Jobcentre Plus may use a Payment Exception Service

    Money Advice Service has more information about how to get an account and what they involve.

    Am I eligible for Universal Credit?

    Visit Universal Credit on Gov.uk to see if you are eligible to claim. Before claiming Universal Credit, check out the City Council’s webpage move to Universal Credit and also get advice to make sure you do not lose out.

    Two child limit lifted

    Your Universal Credit may increase from April 2026 as the 2 child limit is being removed.  If you currently get only two child elements but have more than two children please make sure that your Universal Credit claim includes all of your children by April 2026 or you may risk missing out on those extra child elements.

    When you receive those extra child elements it might mean you are then affected by the benefit cap

    If your benefits are reduced by the benefit cap it would be a good idea to get advice from a benefits advisor on how you might be able to have the cap removed.

    If you have moved to Universal Credit from an old benefit such as Tax Credits you might have a Transitional Protection Element (TPE) included in your Universal Credit.  If you do any more child elements that are added will reduce this TPE amount so you might not see the full benefit of having those extra child elements.

    People who are terminally ill or at end of life

    People considered by a health professional to have 12 months or less to live can get quicker (or fast-tracked) access to Universal Credit. People who are eligible do not have to have a face-to-face assessment or complete a waiting period. Most people receive a higher rate of Universal Credit.

    Amounts and budgeting

    Visit the Newcastle City Council’s how to check your benefit entitlement online, including Universal Credit.

    You can see the basic monthly allowances on www.gov.uk

    You may also be able to claim additional benefits if they apply:

    • Children
    • Disabled children
    • Housing costs (rent)
    • Limited capability for work element
    • Carer
    • Childcare costs

    You can apply for a Budgeting Advance if you are in financial difficulty and are eligible for Universal Credits.

    How to make a Universal Credit claim

    You can only normally claim Universal Credit online.  But you can claim over the telephone in limited circumstances.

    When you make an online claim, you’re sent an appointment with a Jobcentre Plus Office Work Coach. At the appointment you will confirm the details of your claim and plan appropriate work related activity.

    Help to claim Universal Credit

    You can get practical help and advice to make a claim online or if you have problems with your claim from services in Newcastle. This includes:

    Gov.uk Universal Credit Helpline open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Call 0800 328 5644. They can help if you get stuck while you’re making your claim

    Citizens Advice Help to Claim service you can talk to them on the phone, or online over chat

    Universal Credit online claim support at Newcastle Libraries you can book a face to face appointment at Kenton, Fenham, Outer West, East End, City Centre library

    Newcastle City Council  tenants can get support from their support services.

    Your local Jobcentre Plus for help with a new or existing claim.

    Read more on Newcastle.gov.uk about local help and support

    Computer classes and support

    To help you manage your online claim for Universal Credit you need to be able to use a computer and the internet. Training and support to learn computer skills and develop your confidence is available.

    Get Online Newcastle runs computer classes for everyone at libraries across Newcastle. They also run informal sessions where you can practice your skills, such as techy tea parties.

    Universal Credit online claim support at Newcastle Libraries you can book a face to face appointment at Kenton, Fenham, Outer West, East End, City Centre library.

    Read more on computer classes and digital support on InformationNOW.

    Where to access computers and digital equipment for free on InformationNOW.

    Health costs 

    You can get help to pay for health costs when you are receiving certain benefits. This includes things such as prescriptions, glasses, wigs, dental treatment and travel costs to health appointments.

    The rules for help with health costs if you receive Universal Credit can be found on NHS.UK.

    Where to get benefits advice

    You can get benefits advice from a local independent service. They can help guide you through the application process and explain how some benefits may impact upon another. Services in Newcastle include:

    Search for Benefits advice organisations

    Managing on a low income

    You may find these pages on InformationNOW useful if you are on a low income

    Cost of living support lists many local support services and tips on how to make your money go further

    Managing your money for more information about budgeting and managing money

    Telephones services has details of a more affordable telephone service if you are in receipt of certain benefits for example, Pension Credit, Income Support, Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance.

    NHS Healthy Start Scheme is for people who are more than 10 weeks pregnant, or have children under the age of 4, who receive certain benefits. You get a free prepaid card that’s topped up every 4 weeks to buy: milk, fruit and vegetables. You can also collect free vitamins from locations listed here.

    You can use the card in shops that accept Mastercard payments and sell at least one of these Healthy Start foods.

    Free meals and low cost food where you can get a free hot meal or buyer cheaper food in Newcastle

    Food banks and emergency food parcels where you can get free food parcels in Newcastle

    Last updated: March 25, 2026