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Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a part of the government’s welfare reform changes. Universal Credit will eventually replace the following existing benefits and tax credits, which will instead be paid to you in a single monthly payment:

Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Housing Benefit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit

Universal Credit has now been rolled out to all new claimants in Thanet.

This means that if you live in the Thanet District, you will not be able to make a new claim for Housing Benefit unless you:

- have reached State Pension age
- are in exempt accommodation (you will need to claim Universal Credit but you may also get some help from Thanet District Council)
- are in temporary accommodation placed by our Housing Options Team

If you don’t fall into one of these categories, you will need to make a claim for housing costs through Universal Credit.

If you do fall into one of these categories, you will need to make a claim for Housing Benefit.

Assisted digital support

Universal Credit claims must be made online. If you don’t have access to the internet or need help with making a claim for Universal Credit, please contact your local Citizens Advice. If you are able to make the claim online, then please do so as delays in applying may affect your entitlement.

Council Tax Support

Universal Credit will not replace Council Tax Support. If you haven’t applied for help with your Council Tax, you can do this quickly and easily using our online claim form.

If you have a Universal Credit claim

Once you are claiming Universal Credit, you will stay on Universal Credit, even if your circumstances change or you move into or out of our area.

It’s important that once you’ve made your claim for Universal Credit, you check your journal regularly. Please provide any information requested as quickly as possible to help avoid your payments being delayed or your claim being cancelled.

You can contact the Universal Credit Full Service Centre by phoning 0800 328 5644.

If you need to send post to Universal Credit Full Service, there are two addresses that you need to be aware of:

Signed delivery and recorded delivery must be addressed to:

UCFS Post, Canterbury BC
Nutwood House
Chaucer Road
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 1 ZZ

All other post must be addressed to: Freepost DWP UNIVERSAL CREDIT FULL SERVICE

If mail is not addressed correctly there is a risk the post will be sent to the wrong place which could result in delays to claims being processed and paid.

Your local Jobcentre can photocopy and verify your evidence if you don’t want to send your originals in the post.

The following organisations can help you get online: