Your Universal Credit is Changing, Get Prepared
In April 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Universal Credit (UC) temporary uplift of £20 per week was brought in by the Government. This uplift increased the standard allowance of Universal Credit by £86.67 every month.
If you’re currently claiming UC, you should be aware that this amount is temporary and was brought in as extra support for claimants during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The additional amount had been due to stop at the end of March 2021, however, the Government has extended this until now. After September 2021, the amount of UC you receive will be reduced by £86.67 per month.
The below table shows how much UC awards will reduce by:
|
Your circumstances |
Current monthly allowance (from April 2020)
|
Reduced monthly allowance (after September 2021)
|
Monthly reduction |
|
Single and under 25 |
£344.00 |
£257.33 |
£86.67 |
|
Single and 25 or over |
£411.51 |
£324.84 |
£86.67 |
|
In a couple and both under 25 |
£490.60 per couple
|
£403.93 per couple |
£86.67 |
|
In a couple and either of you is 25 or over |
£596.58 per couple |
£509.91 per couple |
£86.67 |
Many Linc tenants receive UC and may not know that this uplift is temporary. If you are someone who has only claimed UC for the first time since April 2020, you may not even know that the money you receive contains the temporary increase.
We don’t want to scare or worry anyone, but this is something that will impact everyone who is claiming UC. We are here to help you get prepared. Please check your Universal Credit payment statements as you will see that the amount you are receiving is temporary.
If you are a Linc tenant that claims UC and you’d like support to get prepared for this change, please contact your Housing Officer for support.