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As you may have heard late last year, Citizens Advice are rolling out a project across the Country to support people who may need assistance with applying for Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is one monthly payment to cover your living costs.
If you claim as a couple, you and your partner will get one payment between the two of you. It is made up of a basic standard allowance and extra payments that may apply to you depending on your circumstances.
It replaces Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Income Support.
Wokingham went full service with Universal Credit in May last year meaning any new claims or a change in circumstances could mean you need to claim Universal Credit.
We know that in January 1,897 people living in Wokingham were on Universal Credit: 1,116 were out of employment and 782 were in employment.
Across the country there have been a number of concerns around Universal Credit and Citizens Advice have been campaigning on this since around 2014 when the benefit was first introduced in pilot areas.
Our Help to Claim project is what it says on the tin. We help people to navigate the system, supporting you with providing the required evidence to make a successful claim. To support people with additional vulnerabilities to receive the support that they need.
At our Wokingham and Woodley offices there will be access to a computer, scanner and printer if required to make your claim.
Our assessors and advisers will carry out a quick benefit check first to check whether Universal Credit is the right benefit for your circumstances.
They will then help you with any support you may need to make this claim online.
You will be able to access Universal Support help through telephone, webchat and face-to-face, to ensure that we reach as many people as possible.
We will be talking about this more over the next few weeks as the Help to Claim project begins. You can always get in touch with us if you have any questions – relating to Universal Credit or any other matter which may be impacting upon you or your community.
Visit www.citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk for up-to date information on our services.
JAKE MORRISON
You can get help and advice from your local Citizens Advice or visit www.citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk or visit Second Floor, Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Wokingham RG40 2YF. Tel: 0300 330 1189. email: public@citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk
