Universal Credit is a new single payment for people who are looking for work or on a low income.

Universal Credit will help claimants and their families to become more independent and will simplify the benefits system by bringing together a range of working-age benefits into a single streamlined payment. The new Universal Credit system aims to:
  • improve work incentives
  • smooth the transitions into and out of work, supporting a dynamic labour market
  • simplify the system, making it easier for people to understand, and easier and cheaper for staff to administer
  • reduce in-work poverty
  • cut back on fraud and error.

It will be launched in 2013 and will replace:
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • income-based Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Child Tax Credits
  • Working Tax Credits
  • Housing Benefit.

Linky for more info: Universal Credit - DWP


PDF Format for faqs: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/universal-credit-faqs.pdf