Important update for tenants claiming benefits:
Universal Credit is a single monthly payment to help with your housing and living costs and provides support if you are working and on a low income, looking for work or unable to work.
The following benefits and tax credits, for working age claimants and some pension age claimants, are ending and will be replaced by Universal Credit:
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Since April 2024, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have been writing to some people who receive these benefits to let them know that they need to claim Universal Credit instead. Follow this link to find out when you will receive your letter
You will not be moved automatically to Universal Credit. Therefore, it is important that you do not do anything until you receive your letter. This letter called a 'Migration Notice', will explain what you need to do and when. It also provides information on the help available to continue receiving support from the government.
Once you’ve received your Universal Credit Migration Notice letter, you will need to make a claim for Universal Credit to continue to get financial support. There will be a deadline in your letter. This is 3 months from the date the letter was sent out.
The council's website provides guidance on what to do when you receive your Migration Notice | Sheffield City Council
Your current benefits will end as soon as you submit your claim for Universal Credit and you will not be able to go back to your existing benefit once you have claimed.
The deadline for moving people on the above benefits, to Universal Credit, is December 2025, but if affected you could be contacted any time before that date.
If you are of pension age then you are not affected – unless you are a pension age tax credit claimant or your spouse or partner you live with is still of working age.
If you need help with your Universal Credit application or you are concerned about managing your income prior to receiving your first Universal Credit payment, follow this link for full details of the various types of support and independent advice available to you.
If you are claiming Universal Credit and have concerns about paying your rent then please contact us for advice, on 0114 2930000, and we can discuss your circumstances.
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