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:
Tuesday, 20th October, 2026.
Full-Day Workshop: (9:40 - 4:30)
Workshop Fee: £280 (No VAT)
Book 3 places and receive a 4th place FREE.
Also available for In-House Bookings for individual organisations, either On-Site or Online.
Please contact us fo further details.
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, as well as the rules affecting prisoners.
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 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. While looking at earnings we will also cover the October 2026 amendments to the Housing Benefit earnings disregards which are designed to eliminate a “cliff-edge” for people who float off UC while claiming HB for supported or temporary accommodation.
The phasing out of HB means that more claimants will be exposed to a harsher benefit cap than they experienced in the past 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.
The “managed migration” of legacy benefit claimants to UC is now complete apart from a very small number of ESA claimants with appointees, but many UC claimants who have previously gone through the migration process are in receipt of transitional protection to cover the shortfall between their UC award and the legacy benefits they used to receive. The workshop will include an overview of transitional protection, including how it erodes over time, and events that result in it ending completely, as well as the circumstances in which it can be recalculated if legacy benefits are retrospectively altered or a mistake is discovered.
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: The day closes with 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.
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
· Prisoners
Maximum Universal Credit
· The “elements” that make up the award
o Singles and couples, including cases where one partner is ineligible
o Children
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 October 2026 changes for temp/supported acc HB claimants who “float off” UC
o Disregarded capital items
The Benefit Cap
Transitional protection
· Erosion
· Loss of protection: couple status, drop in earnings
· Retrospective adjustments
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
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.