AN INTRODUCTION TO UNIVERSAL CREDIT
An Introduction To Universal Credit
For anyone seeking an overview of the UC scheme: Customer Services Advisers, HB/CTR staff administering claims by people on UC, Corporate Deputies, Social Landlords, etc.
Next Workshop:
Thurday, 30th April, 2026.
(Full Day Workshop 9:30 - 4:30)
Workshop Fee: £280 (No VAT)
Book 3 places and receive a 4th place FREE.
An Introduction To Universal Credit
The day begins with the threshold eligibility conditions for UC including age and immigration status. The eligibility of students is a frequent source of debate which we will also cover.
Next, we look at how UC is calculated, beginning with the “elements” that are added together to arrive at the maximum possible amount of UC before income and capital are taken into account. The qualifying conditions for each element will be summarised: Housing costs for social sector tenants, private tenants and long leaseholders; extra amounts for people who are unfit for work; elements for children (including the abolition of the “two-child limit”) and childcare; and the element for carers.
We then look at how the maximum amount of UC is reduced if the claimant has any earnings or other income. Frequently asked questions about income include people who sometimes receive their monthly salary on a different date from the normal payday; people who are paid weekly or four-weekly, which does not work very smoothly with UC’s calendar monthly “assessment periods”; and the special rules for self-employed people whose profit is still very low after 12 months on UC and are deemed to have earnings equal to the “Minimum Income Figure” (MIF). The MIF is especially tricky to negotiate for claimants who have transitional protection following managed migration to UC – we look at the options for self-employed claimants as they approach the end of their first year on UC.
Another hazard to be aware of is the Benefit Cap. The phasing out of HB means that more claimants will be exposed to a harsher benefit cap than they experienced in the past (delegates will hear why this is the case) and so it is more important than ever to explore all the possible ways in which someone can be exempt from the cap through past or present work, disability, and caring responsibilities. We will also see how the Benefit Cap will affect people whose maximum UC increases as a result of the abolition of the two-child limit.
UC is primarily claimed and administered online. We will look at the process of making a claim, using the “journal” to communicate with DWP, and reporting changes of circumstance online. One person with whom the claimant might need to have face to face contact is the Work Coach who will oversee the claimant’s work seeking commitments: delegates will learn about the different levels of conditionality, ranging from none to full work availability, and the consequences for those who fail to comply.
Payment of UC: Usually UC is paid to the claimant into their nominated bank account, but DWP will sometimes pay some or all of the award to a landlord - especially social landlords who have their own “portal”. Deductions can be clawed back from UC for debts owed to both DWP (recovery of advances and overpayments) and third parties (rent arrears, court fines etc). We also look at the rules governing overpayments - when are they recoverable and from whom?
Appeals/disputes: We include a brief overview of the UC appeals process, including time limits and how to lodge a “mandatory reconsideration” with DWP to start the ball rolling.
The “managed migration” of legacy benefit claimants to UC is now largely complete, but we will look at how the process works for the remaining claimants who have yet to migrate – mainly people on income-related ESA (plus in many cases HB). We will also cover the regulations introduced in November 2025 to “mop up” the remaining legacy benefit claimants who missed their cohort’s phase of original managed migration schedule. Many migrating claimants are entitled to a transitional element. Maximising and protecting the transitional element depends on good advice both when claiming UC and in the ensuing months: The Workshop covers events that will cause the transitional element to reduce (“erode”) or end completely.
Presented by Peter Barker, a hugely experienced trainer and appeals presenter. He combines a wealth of first-hand experience with expert knowledge of benefits legislation and has a real enthusiasm for the topic.
Topics Covered:
Basic Conditions Of UC Entitlement
· Maximum and minimum age
· Immigration and residence
· Students
Maximum Universal Credit
· The “elements” that make up the award
o Singles and couples, including cases where one partner is ineligible
o Children and the two-child limit
o LCWRA
o Carers
o Childcare
o Housing: private tenants, social tenants, long leaseholders
Income and Capital
· Earnings and other income
· FAQs including
o Changed salary payment date around a bank holiday
o Weekly/4-weekly wages and monthly UC
o Self-employed “Minimum Income Floor”
o Disregarded capital items
The Benefit Cap
Work Seeking Conditions
· The four levels, and who is subject to each of them
· Sanctions for failure to comply
Managing An Online Universal Credit Account
· How to claim
· Using the journal
· Reporting changes
Payments And Overpayments
· Payments to landlords
· Deductions
· Overpayments – from whom recoverable
Appeals & Disputes
Managed Migration & Termination Of Legacy Benefits
· Process for remaining cases
· Transitional protection: key issues
o Erosion
o Loss of protection: couple status, drop in earnings
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We also offer a 2-Day Workshop which focuses specifically on HB & CTS / CTR - "An Introduction To HB & Council Tax Support / Reduction". See other web page for full details. See Web Page for details of next Workshops.
We also offer a 2-Day Workshop - "An Introduction To Welfare Benefits":- This provides an introduction or refresher covering local authority-administered benefits (but less time on HB and CTR/CTS), together with an overview of the wider Social Security system. See our web page for full details. See Web Page for details of next Workshops.
In-House Workshop Required?
We are always pleased to arrange most of our Workshops, such as this one, for staff from an individual organisation to be held at their own training venue (currently for London & South East only) or by Zoom/TEAMS. Please email us with your requirements for details.