change of address, will it move me to universal credit?

eld

Hi all, getting really worried about Universal Credit at the moment, as I'm sure a lot are.

I'm hoping to move house next month and on November 22nd my area goes into full service.

I am wondering, will a change of address trigger a change in claim to move me to UC?

UC is pants, for my situation, it's showing a drop of £400 a month. Going to be incredibly hard times, going to have to give up a lot to get by, so worried.

pmlindyloo

A change of address will not trigger a move to UC unless you move to a new area where you need to make a new claim for HB.

A change of address with the same local authority will be a change of circumstances and you will need to inform the LA about it (usually a form on your LA's website.)

eld

I'm moving in the same city, only a few miles away, so it's the same local council.

So I won't be moved to UC?

poppy12345

No, not if it's the same council.

pmlindyloo

Maybe a useful link:

https://www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/What-triggers-a-claim-for-Universal-Credit-in-a-full-service-area.pdf

eld

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Maybe a useful link:

https://www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/What-triggers-a-claim-for-Universal-Credit-in-a-full-service-area.pdf

Ah hah, i've been looking for such a doc for ages.

Seems I have the choice since it's the same local authority, well, sticking with Tax Credits obviously.

Appreciate the link, thanks a lot!

theartfullodger

Surely it's the Job Centre area?
https://universalcreditinfo.net/

eld

theartfullodger wrote: »

Surely it's the Job Centre area?

Well according to the linked doc, it's local authority, which is the council not the job centre.

Icequeen99

theartfullodger wrote: »

Surely it's the Job Centre area?
https://universalcreditinfo.net/

It's kind of both - but they are relevant for different reasons.

Firstly, UC roll-out is by postcode not Jobcentre area (despite what GOV.UK says). Some Jobcentre offices cover postcodes that might fall into full service roll-out and some that might be in live service or change at a different date.

Secondly, the reason that the LA area is relevant is because if you move within a local authority area it doesn't trigger a new claim for housing benefit - it is treated as a change of circumstances. Whereas if you move to a new LA you need to make a new claim for housing benefit which, in full service areas, is no longer possible so that would mean you need to claim UC. If you are in the same area, you are still treated as an existing HB claimant in effect.

IQ

eld

I should note I'm not getting Housing Benefit, I'm simply changing address for Tax Credits/Child Benefit/Council Tax. Going by that document, under the Tax Credit heading:

On TC and change does not lead to a claim for a new ‘legacy benefit’ e.g. less income

It says under the full service heading, that the choice to move to UC is yours.

Icequeen99

eld wrote: »

I should note I'm not getting Housing Benefit, I'm simply changing address for Tax Credits/Child Benefit/Council Tax. Going by that document, under the Tax Credit heading:
It says under the full service heading, that the choice to move to UC is yours.

Sorry, i misread from the response and didn't spot it in your original

In that case, neither local authority nor jobcentre/postcode area matters to you.

The issue for you is simply that reporting a change of address doesn't change your tax credits claim and so won't trigger a need to claim UC>

IQ