Universal Credit alert: Claim deadline you might not be aware of – don’t miss out on cash

Universal Credit can be claimed online but before this can be done an account must be created. When this account is created, a virtual countdown starts which may catch some applicants off guard.

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Once an account is created, the claimant must apply for Universal Credit within 28 days.

Fortunately, the application process should be relatively easy to follow as it can now be completely managed online or over the phone.

Physical meetings with a jobcentre work coach are no longer required due to coronavirus.

Claimants can apply singularly or as part of a couple if they and their partner live together.

The application process should be straightforward and simple but the Universal Credit team may phone the claimant if more information is needed to verify their identity.

To apply, a person will need the following information ready:

  • Their bank, building society or credit union account details
  • An email address
  • Derails on their housing, an example being how much their rent is
  • Income details
  • Savings and/or investment details
  • Details on any childcare costs they may have if they’re applying for help with childcare

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Once the application has been put through and processed entirely, there will usually be a five week wait for the initial payment.

Beyond this, Universal Credit will be paid once a month into a preselected bank, building society or credit union account.

The payment date will be the same date of every month and if it falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the claimant will usually be paid on the working day before.

A monthly statement will be provided which will provide the claimant with all the necessary information they need.

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Universal Credit has seen a huge spike in demand as revealed by the DWP.

In a recent speech to parliament, Thérèse Coffey revealed that since March 16 to the end of April the DWP received over 1.8 million claims for Universal Credit.

On top of this, there has been over 250,000 claims for jobseeker’s allowance and over 20,000 claims for employment and support allowance.

Thankfully, the DWP has been able to manage that demand by making certain staffing decisions according to the Secretary of State for the DWP.

As she detailed on May 4: “The rate for Universal Credit claims appears to have stabilised at about 20,000 to 25,000 per day which is double that of a standard week pre-COVID-19.

“I am pleased that my department is standing up to the challenge.

“We have redeployed significant number of DWP staff (about 8,000) and from other government departments (about 500 so far) in order to process these claims.

“Our payment timeliness for Universal Credit is running at a record high.”

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