If you have lost your job, you may be entitled to some welfare benefits.

You may already be receiving some benefits if your income was already low. Unemployment related benefits now come in the form of Universal Credit (UC). If you have no income, and are not restricted by your immigration status, you should apply for UC as soon as possible. You will find a link to the online application form for UC here. 

If you experience any difficulty with your claim, the Citizens Advice Bureau are providing help and assistance specifically for UC queries and you can contact them online about this here.

If you are already receiving benefits, such as Housing Benefit (HB) directly from the Local Authority (LA), Child Tax Credit, and Child Benefit, your individual claims will be merged, as these will all be covered by UC. 

It would be worth contacting your Local Authority regarding your claim, to inform them of a change in your circumstances so as to avoid any overpayment.

If you are in receipt of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) these payments are made separately by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and they will remain separate, even when your claim for UC is approved.

UC is payable 5 weeks after the claim is made. The idea is that you would have received your last monthly salary payment, which will assist you until the following month. However, this is not always the case. You can therefore request an advance payment, which will be deducted from your future claim. The first deduction will be made on the first day of your first UC payment, and you will have up to 24 months to repay the advance.

See also our free guide below.