Universal credit

[Babybell21]

I have been put on universal credit and still waiting for a payment.
I'm panicking now as I just about got through the week with food when older ones were in school now it's the holidays and I'm struggling I'm a single parent now as my ex was removed by police 2 weeks ago for attacking me and putting me in hospital. I am not sure how to get help with food, gas and electric etc I'm hoping somebody could point me in the right direction please x

I have been put on universal credit and still waiting for a payment.
I'm panicking now as I just about got through the week with food when older ones were in school now it's the holidays and I'm struggling I'm a single parent now as my ex was removed by police 2 weeks ago for attacking me and putting me in hospital. I am not sure how to get help with food, gas and electric etc I'm hoping somebody could point me in the right direction please x

You apply for an advance before the end of your assessment period and pay it back each month. They divide it by 12 so the the smallest advance you can.

Do not take an advance of housing costs if in Social housing speak to them. If privately rented you might need to.

Find your local food Bank and see if anyone is doing lunch boxes in summer holidays too.

Get support on keeping your ex your ex too.

Ring your council and ask to apply for help with gas and electricity and for food. It will be through Local Welfare Provision.

Get an advance payment. You can apply on your online account. If you haven’t had your first appointment yet you can apply at that. Call them tomorrow if you haven’t had an appointment yet. I had an advance and they tell you how much you have to pay each month to pay it back. It cleared into the bank the same day I applied for it.

Contact your local citizens advice. You can then get a referral to a food bank (you can't usually just turn up), and get information about any free programmes over the summer as well as help with benefit.

Also you can apply for a further advance if you haven't taken the full amount if within the first assessment. Keep the amount of the advance you take at the smallest you need so that the payments are lower month on month.

The key thing about universal credit is that you you note what your assessment period is - the dates remain the same- and understand how changes within it affect the payment 7 days after the assessment period ends.

If you move from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit, your Housing Benefit will continue to be paid for 2 weeks after you claim Universal Credit. ... This extra 2 weeks of Housing Benefit is to help with your housing costs while you wait for your first payment of Universal Credit. You do not need to pay it back.

(This is assuming you are the lead claimant not your ex though?!)