Benefit help!

[bowgumdrop2018]

So I am in receipt of income support and have just requested a child benefit form through for an application but have been told that I can't apply for child tax credits because of the catchment area so have to apply for universal credit but I believe I can't get that and income support? So how does this work ? I am so worried that I will loose the income support ? ( please no abuse on the benefit front this wasent the plan but I lost my job and baby's father has left me

As far as i am aware it all gets rolled into one so youll get a lump sum. So although you wont get individual payments, you will probably find yiur money remains the same or even better off in some cases

If you contact CAB they will be able to work out your UC payment. Here’s a link to the various elements in UC www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Universal-Credit-Rates

UC is paid every 4 weeks and replaces income support, tax credits, housing benefit, etc.

@TwoBlueFish
So will I still get my income support? But in the payment from universal credit? So in that one payment will be the value of income support and child tax credit ? I'm so worried as I have been completely dropped on my arse and I have a 2 week old baby depending on me 😔 Do I apply to universal credit then contact income support and let them know about this?

Yep it should all be rolled into one, so your housing benefit, income. Support tax credits etc youll get a lump payment. Take a look at entitled too. Com and that will give roughly what youll get and a breakdown. I know theres a few weeks wait for it to get sorted however they can give you a loan to cover expenses for now. I would ring up the helpline if you are confused about it, or local job centre. You can apply for it online its really simple, i had to go for an interview but not sure if thats with everycase or just reapplying again

When you apply for UC, they should automatically roll it all into one and you shouldn't have to inform anyone. They will enquire about all benefits included on your behalf and tell you what you should get. You can run a UC calculator I've seen linked above, that will give you a very simple breakdown of what would be included in your payment.

It will take time to adjust to one payment per month as opposed to two with IS so prepare for that and maybe try and tuck a little bit of money away for urgent stuff.
Anything your IS entitles you to (HB, healthy start vouchers) should all be the same. But citizens advice will definitely sit down and calculate all this for our if you can't get your head around the online calculator x

The old benefits like IS and JSA is getting phased out. UC combines all the old benefits plus HB and CTax Credits..
When youngest dependent becomes 3 you will be expected to look for p:t 16 hrs work...

Don’t forget to apply separately for council tax relief- it’s not including in the universal credit

Double check you have to apply yet some people are being told wrong about having to apply already also worth noting is uc will make you wait 4 weeks with no money while the claims being processed

you should get
Standard allowance £251.77 or £317.82 (lower rate is for under 25’s)
Child Element £231.67

These payments are every 4 weeks. It takes a little bit of time for the benefits to switch over but you can apply for a loan to cover that time.

You should also get a housing element that will depend on your local authority and council tax benefit as well (presuming you are renting somewhere). Child benefit is then paid on top. As you’re on a low income you should still qualify for free prescriptions, dental etc.

The department is phasing our old benefits as UC is replacing all those benefits.. Just remember when child becomes 3 you will be expected to look for part time work (16 hrs)
On Income Support this would've been from aged 5 onwards..