The guidance for people who were receiving benefits before the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been updated with the latest rates effective from 12 April.
Universal Credit
You will continue to get Universal Credit as normal during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
If you are working while claiming Universal Credit, your payment will be adjusted if you can no longer work due to coronavirus. Tell DWP about the hours you are working in the usual way in your online account.
The standard allowance increased on 12 April 2021. For example, for a single Universal Credit claimant (aged 25 and over) it has increased from £409.89 to £411.51 a month. This rate will remain in place until the withdrawal of the temporary uplift.
You must still inform them about changes to your circumstances.
Interviews and medical assessments
Interviews and assessments will be done by telephone. You should not go to a Jobcentre Plus unless asked to do so for an exceptional purpose, for example to collect your Payment Exception Service vouchers.
If you are self-employed and claiming Universal Credit
Since 30 March 2020, the way your Universal Credit payment is worked out has changed because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Payments are no longer calculated using an assumed level of earnings, called a Minimum Income Floor. They are now based on your actual earnings. If your payments were calculated using the Minimum Income Floor, they may change.
Other benefits
Your payments will not be affected if you get:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- New Style Employment and Support Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Child Benefit
Interviews and assessments will be done by telephone.
Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
If you are currently getting tax credits and you cannot work or you are working fewer hours because of coronavirus, you do not need to tell HMRC about this change as long as you are still employed or self-employed.
You must still tell HMRC about other changes to your circumstances. This includes if you or your partner lose your job, are made redundant or cease trading.
The basic element of Working Tax Credit is £2,005 from 6 April 2021 until 5 April 2022. Find out what this means for you.
You cannot claim Universal Credit and tax credits at the same time. If you get tax credits, they will stop when you or your partner applies for Universal Credit and you will be unable to claim them again, even if your Universal Credit claim is unsuccessful. Check how tax credits and Universal Credit affect each other.
See: Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re already getting benefits – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What to do if you were employed and have lost your job – Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) update
Guidance for people who were employed and have lost their job due to coronavirus has been recently updated. If you have lost your job, you might be able to get New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Universal Credit, or Pension Credit.
New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
You could get New Style JSA if:
- you usually work less than 16 hours a week
- you’re under State Pension age
- you have made enough National Insurance contributions over the last 2 to 3 years
Your savings and partner’s income will not affect how much you get. You might be able to get New Style JSA at the same time as Universal Credit.
Find out more or apply for New Style JSA.
Universal Credit
You could get Universal Credit if:
- you have less than £16,000 in savings
- you or your partner is under State Pension age
If you are already getting tax credits, they will stop when you or your partner applies for Universal Credit.
You might be able to get Universal Credit at the same time as New Style JSA. Depending on your circumstances, Universal Credit can include additional amounts for things like rent or the costs of raising children.
Find out more or apply for Universal Credit.
Pension Credit
You could get Pension Credit if:
- you and your partner have both reached State Pension age
- your weekly income is below £177.10 (for single people) or £270.30 (for couples)
You might still be able to get it even if you have savings, have a pension or own your home.
Find out more or apply for Pension Credit.
Looking for other work
Find full or part-time jobs in England, Scotland and Wales using the Find a job service. There is a different service to search for jobs in Northern Ireland.
If you’re still employed but cannot work
Other help is available if you’re employed and:
- your employer has less or no work for you than normal
- you are off work because you have coronavirus symptoms, are self-isolating, or shielding
See: Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you were employed and have lost your job – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Source 2020 Innovation