Universal Credit

The final phase of Universal Credit (UC) implementation across Northern Ireland will begin next week for those in receipt of tax credits and no other benefits. From Monday, migration notice letters will begin to be issued across all postcodes to recipients of working tax credits and/or child tax credits who receive no other benefit.
Universal Credit has been in place in Northern Ireland since September 2017, replacing new claims for income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, housing benefit and tax credits. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Final phase of Universal Credit implementation to begin in Northern Ireland

People walk near the Jobcentre in Westminster.

DWP warning over Universal Credit changes coming in October

There are seven big money changes that could affect your wallet coming in September 2023 including Universal Credit and student loans shake-ups.

Cost of living: 7 money changes to be aware of in September 2023

Which? has revealed the cheapest place to get school uniform this year

Cheapest shop to buy school uniform revealed by Which?

Benefit claimants may find their payments arrive earlier than normal this month.

Universal Credit & benefit claimants hit by another payment change

Here are eight important money changes coming in August 2023.

8 money changes coming in August 2023 including Ofgem price cap

Thousands of Universal Credit claimants are to be affected by new rules that have been introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this week.

Universal Credit rule change launches this week - are you affected?

Tax Credit warning from HMRC

Tax Credits: reply to renewal now or risk having payments stopped, HMRC warns

Michelle Hanney pictured riding a horse. (DWP/SWNS)

‘Disabled’ woman on benefits caught after horse riding photo found

If you claim benefits, including Universal Credit, you may find you get paid early next month due to the August bank holiday.

Full list of benefits that could be paid early next month

Universal Credit claimants will no doubt want to be aware of the rules for going abroad if they’re going on holiday this summer.

DWP explains rules around Universal Credit and going on holiday

The report shows that 22.2% of children in Northern Ireland are experiencing poverty - the figure goes as high to 28.5% and 27.6% in Belfast West and Belfast North respectively

Campaigners ‘gravely concerned’ about Northern Ireland child poverty

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week.

Benefit claimants will be hit by another payment shake-up this week

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week. If you’re claiming benefits, you may find your payments arrive earlier than normal.

Universal Credit and benefit claimants have payment change coming up

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week. If you’re claiming benefits, you may find your payments arrive earlier than normal.

Universal Credit and benefit claimants hit by another payment change

A Universal Credit sign in the window of the Job Centre in Westminster.

Thousands could miss out on £301 cost of living payment - here’s why
Thousands of Universal Credit claimants could miss out on the £301 cost of living payment in May because they broke DWP rules.

Can benefits or universal credit debt be waived by DWP? Tribunal forces government to release appeal criteria

How to appeal DWP benefits debt repayments - criteria considered

Benefits payments earlier in April due to the May bank holiday (Photo: Adobe)

Thousands will receive benefits early this week- what you need to know

Taz Aldeek was rejected from nearly 100 jobs and had to spend 18 months on benefits before he finally secured his dream job as a barrister.

Man who spent months on benefits lands dream job as a barrister

In this photo illustration pound coins are stacked in front of a twenty pound note

Cost-of-living payments of £301 due between now and May 17

The first instalment of the £900 cost of living payments is set to land in bank accounts today. The £301 cash boost from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC will be paid to those who are eligible over the next few weeks from Tuesday, April 25.

Cost of living payment to land in bank accounts from today

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, many households are struggling financially

Cost of living payments will start to land in bank accounts next week

Millions of people on benefits are set to get a cash boost as payments rise in line with inflation rates - full list of what will increase and how much you’ll get.

Benefit payments set to increase for millions - full list

Woman holding an empty purse counting her silver and copper coins & empty purse

Dates released for benefits payments in coming weeks amid cost of living crisis

Easter is fast approaching and while many will welcome the bank holiday break, it can affect benefit payment dates - so be sure to check if you’re affected.

Easter 2023 benefit payment dates for Universal Credit and more

Only Fans star Amber O’Donnel at Tesco after shopping for her food parcel donations - Credit: SWNS

Mum uses first OnlyFans paycheque to fill a foodbank

Cost of Living spring payments are set to be rolled out over the next month or so - Credit: Adobe

10 ways to claim extra money for households on Universal Credit
There are many different ways to get support through the current cost of living crisis if you are on low income or on benefits - here are 10 freebies you can claim in April

RHS Harlow Carr

RHS offer £1 entry to its gardens for low income households

'The new deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, Lee Anderson is wrong to believe that charities supporting asylum seekers in Calais are involved in a multimillion-pound industry'. PIC: UK Parliament/PA Wire

Lee Anderson: ‘myth’ those on Universal credit are in poverty

A child carries a tray with food during lunch-break at St Mary’s RC Primary School, in Battersea, south London.

Number of children in food poverty nearly doubles to four million

The government could tell GPs to issue less sick notes in order to boost the economy.

Government could tell GPs to sign fewer sick notes to boost economy

The first £301 instalment of the money, which is intended to help vulnerable people pay their energy and grocery bills as inflation hits a 40-year high, is due to hit bank accounts this spring.

1.7 million people set to miss out on £301 cost of living payment

The rules for Universal Credit are due to change in February.

Six major money changes coming in February

People who claim Universal Credit should be aware of what changes in circumstances they need to report to the DWP

The 21 changes benefit claimants must report to DWP to avoid court

Around 120,000 people are set to be affected by the changes, which could stop Universal Credit payments.

New rule could stop Universal Credit payments for thousands

DWP are set to axe six benefits by 2024 as they are being replaced by Universal Credit (Photo: Getty Images)

DWP to scrap these six benefits by 2024 - full list

A general view of the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Benefit claimants could get £1,500 payment if court appeal successful

Undated file photo of a person using a central heating thermostat.

Freezing conditions trigger cold weather payments

Users complained overnight that they could not access the HMRC’s Universal Credit portal to check on payment dates and extra help

Universal Credit: HMRC website experiences technical issues overnight

DWP staff are set to walk out on strike for two weeks over Christmas (Photo: Getty Images)

DWP staff set to strike for two weeks over Christmas

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt admits tax rises are coming and “sacrifices” will be necessary.

Jeremy Hunt expected to announce increase to National Living Wage

Rising energy prices have left many householders struggling to pay bills

Letters: Urgent help needed for struggling tenants

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has welcomed the news from Vodafone to offer small businesses a year of free broadband in an effort to reduce rising living costs

Vodafone giving NI firms free broadband for a year

Save the Children says half of families in NI with children are on some form of benefits. (image posed by an actress)

Half of all Northern Ireland families now on some form of benefts, says charity

A man walks past a sign with the email address of ‘universal credit’ outside a Job Centre.

Universal Credit rule change that impacts thousands explained

HMRC confirms exact month £326 cost of living payment will be paid to households

DWP issues scam warning to everyone due £326 cost of living payment

Spending power of NI families falls below £100 for the first time since 2017

Major ‘12 hour’ rule change could see Universal Credit payments stopped

The report says one in seven 65-year-olds were in income poverty as a result of the pension age rising

Pension age rise ‘increases poverty’

Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert explains how to get free food from stores (Photo: ITV) (Photo: ITV)

Martin Lewis says millions of benefits claimants could get free £1,200

Generic image for families struggling with debt, bills, poverty, benefits, universal credit etc

People will ‘just have to wait’ for cost-of-living help: Boris Johnson

Millions of people will be moved off legacy benefits onto Universal Credit from Monday (Photo: Getty Images)

Major Universal Credit shake-up affects millions of benefits claimants today

Dramatic drop as spending power of NI family falls annually by 13.3%

Sky phone customers will see their bills rise from this week (Photo: Getty)

Sky hikes phone prices for customers this week - how it affects you