New Universal Credit being rolled out in the Honiton area
The new Universal Credit benefit is being rolled out in the Honiton area and an East Devon District Council team is helping the town’s Jobcentre Plus to advise and assist applicants.
The district council is committed to supporting working age residents in the move to Universal Credit and working with Jobcentre Plus to deliver this important welfare change.
Universal Credit, which has been introduced by central Government, replaces six working age benefits:
- Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
- Income Support
- Jobseekers Allowance (income Based)
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
Currently only working-age customers wanting to make a new claim for these benefits, or who are ending their claim for out-of-work benefits and live in the Honiton Jobcentre Plus area need to make a claim for Universal Credit.
If you are currently receiving any of these benefits you do not need to do anything and you will be contacted directly by Jobcentre Plus or the district council if you need to make a Universal Credit claim.
Applications for Universal Credit can be made online and district council staff are available at the Honiton Jobcentre Plus and at the council’s offices at the Knowle in Sidmouth to assist.
Further information about Universal Credit and who is eligible to claim is available at www.gov.uk/universal-credit
Cllr Dean Barrow, East Devon District Council’s portfolio holder for finance, said: “Universal Credit is the biggest change to the welfare state in a generation. The council is committed to supporting our residents affected by this change and ensuring that the changes are implemented well.
“We want to help our customers and are working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus to assist people with making a claim and also providing them with information to access money advice and other support. If anyone is experiencing any problems with claiming Universal Credit please get in touch with the district council’s Benefits Team.”
If you are making a claim for Universal Credit don’t delay in making your claim and getting information to support your claim sent to the Jobcentre. If you need any help to make your claim or you are struggling with this out please get in touch with the district council’s benefits team by email benefits@eastdevon.gov.uk or by phone 01395 571770.
