Universal Credit is a monthly payment available through GOV.UK to help with your living costs. For further information and to make a claim, visit Universal Credit on GOV.UK.
Who can claim
Universal Credit is a benefit for people of working age. You can apply if you're:
- out of work
- on a low income
- self-employed
- unable to work due to a health condition or disability
Use the benefits calculator on GOV.UK to check what you might be entitled to.
Legacy benefits
These are benefits that are gradually being replaced by Universal Credit.
This means people of working age cannot make a new claim for any of the following legacy benefits:
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Get help with an application
Help to Claim can provide support in the early stages of a Universal Credit claim, from the online application, through to support with the application before the first full payment.
It’s a free, independent, confidential and impartial service provided by trained advisers from Citizens Advice. Your local Citizens Advice are:
Citizens Advice Esher and District
Civic Centre, High Street, Esher KT10 9SD
Telephone: 01372 464 770
Email: enquiries@eshercab.org.uk
Website: Esher Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice (Elmbridge West)
Elmbridge Community Hub, 72 High Street, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 1BU
Telephone: 01932 248 660
Email: enquiries@caew.org.uk
Website: Citizens Advice Elmbridge West
Council Tax Support and Universal Credit
See Council Tax Support and Universal Credit for information on how you can make a claim for Council Tax Support if you receive Universal Credit.
Paying rent and Universal Credit
If you receive Universal Credit (housing costs) and you are struggling to pay any shortfall in your rent, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment.