Universal Credit – What you need to know

Help is at hand for people struggling with the new Government benefits system called Universal Credit which has now started in Blackburn with Darwen.

Universal credit merges a number of existing benefits into one single payment. The scheme will apply initially to new single and couple claimants who meet the initial qualifying criteria.

To help residents with the changes, a new web page will be available on Blackburn with Darwen’s website: http://www.blackburn.gov.uk/Pages/Universal-Credit.aspx

Information and application details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Universal Credit can only be claimed online and it will be paid directly to one person in the household each month. Anyone who does not have access to a computer can visit Blackburn Central Library and Darwen Library for free internet access.

Cllr Andy Kay, the Council’s Executive Member for Resources, said:

The changes to Welfare Reform can be confusing and we want to make sure people have all the information they need, including learning how to manage their budgets and making the most of the support and advice we can offer them with this new system.

The Council is committed to helping residents in financial difficulty. We work alongside social landlords and other organisations to ensure people can access support they are entitled to.