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GO!A simple guide to Universal Credit

So what is Universal Credit?Universal Credit is a new, simpler single monthly payment for people in or out of work. It merges together some of the benefits and tax credits that you might be getting now.

Universal Credit will replace: • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Income Support

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

• Housing Benefit

How will Universal Credit affect you?

1 Universal Credit will be a single, monthly payment into a bank account of your choice. It’s therefore important that you have a bank account.

2If you claim Housing Benefit, this will now be paid directly to you in the single monthly payment. You will therefore be responsible for ensuring that this is paid to Taff.

3 If you and your partner are both eligible, you will get one single monthly payment for your household.

4Universal Credit will generally be managed online. You make your claim online, then check your payments and updates through your online account.

5If you work, there are no limits to how many hours a week you can work if you’re claiming Universal Credit. Instead, the amount you’ll get will gradually reduce as you earn more, so you won’t lose all your benefits at once.

How you can prepare for Universal Credit now

1 Get familiar with Universal Credit.

2 Make sure you have a bank account.

3 Make sure you can set up Direct Debits from your bank account.

4 If you will be claiming Universal Credit as a couple, think about setting up a joint bank account or decide into whose account it will be paid.

5Remember, if you receive help paying your rent, this will be included in your monthly Universal Credit payment. You will therefore need to pay your rent monthly to Taff and Direct Debit may be the best option for you.

6 Ensure you have access to the internet.

7 Brush up on your computer skills.

8 Do a monthly budget plan!

When will Universal Credit affect you?Universal Credit is being introduced for new claimants in Cardiff from Autumn 2015. Eventually, Universal Credit will be brought in for everyone claiming the benefits listed.

If you’re already claiming one or more of the previous mentioned benefits, you should carry on claiming as normal. You’ll be told when you need to do anything differently.

Even though you’re not likely to be affected straight away, there are things you can do beforehand to make sure that you’re ready for Universal Credit.

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www.yourbenefitsarechanging.co.uk

How to budget your moneyBudgeting your money is very important to ensure you don’t spend more than you have coming in. It’s especially important now that your benefits will be paid monthly under Universal Credit.

STEP 1A budget is simply 2 lists, one of your income and one of your outgoings.

STEP 2Set aside an hour and have all of your income amounts and bills to hand.

STEP 3Make a list of all your income. This could include wages, any benefits you claim or payments such as maintenance payments.

STEP 4 Make a list of all your outgoings. Make sure you include your rent, council tax, utility bills, mobile phones, food and cleaning, shopping, clothes, travel and any debts you may have.

STEP 5Now total up each to see how much money you have left for the month. This will enable you to ensure that you don’t spend more over the month than you have left over. You also have peace of mind that your bills are paid!

Are your outgoings more than your income? You may be able to reduce your spending by switching utility or phone tariffs or sign up to direct debits to reduce your bills.

All you have to do now is review your budget planner every month and stick to it! We have included a budget planner with this publication, but you can also get them online, on phone apps and from our offices.

#notjusthousing

Contact usTaff Housing Association, Alexandra House, 307-315 Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff, CF5 1JD

Tel 029 2025 9100 E-mail info@taffhousing.co.uk Website www.taffhousing.co.uk

@TaffHousing /TaffHousing

For Universal Credit

There’s help available

Online

READY

STEADY

GO!A simple guide for Getting Online

How to get online Firstly you need access to a computer, smartphone or tablet. This can be done by:

1Buying a computer, laptop or tablet – a cheaper option could be a second hand, refurbished computer. Then signing up for your own internet.

2Using friends or family members’ computer & internet.

3 Using public computers and wi-fi internet.

Computer recyclers – Refurbished PC’s and laptops from £99www.computerrecyclersuk.comTel: 01443 434675

Introduction to getting onlineWe live in a world where the internet is more important to the way we live our lives than it has ever been before. Many of us already use the internet for various reasons but a large proportion of people don’t use the internet and risk being left out in the cold!

Why is internet access so important?• All benefit applications will soon

be done online

• Searching and applying for jobs

• Studying and gaining qualifications

• Budgeting your money

• Online banking

• Accessing the cheapest deals when shopping

• Access to money comparison websites to get the best deals on utilities, loans, etc.

• Communicating with various service providers like your landlord

• Social networking

• Entertainment

• Access to all of the above 24/7 to fit in with busy lifestyles

Did you know that many public places have free wi-fi!

Just take your own laptop or tablet and log in using the wi-fi password provided.

Where you can access computers & the internet for free• Taff’s Tenant Resource room – please contact us to book.

• Cardiff Council Hub’s and libraries – contact your local library or Hub.

• Job Centres – for online benefit applications and job searches.

Free IT & Internet TrainingWe offer free IT training to all our Tenants in partnership with the Workers’ Education Authority (WEA). Our training is aimed at beginners and gives a good overview of computer skills. The training includes word processing, Microsoft Office, navigating the internet and online communication, including emailing and skype. This course can help you use the internet to apply for benefits, search and apply for jobs, improve your employment prospects and get access to cheaper gas and electricity.

All our IT training is fully accredited and runs throughout the year.

Just give us a call to sign up! Tel: 029 2025 9100

Positive feedback from previous IT training

“Before I started the IT training course held at Taff I had never even turned a computer on! I heard that most things are done online these days, but I had no idea where to start! I decided to sign up for Taff’s IT training course to find out more. I’m so glad I did! I have now learnt how to research things online, pay bills and even email my friends abroad. It’s been great being able to get online, there are so many things I can do now that I couldn’t do before.”

“I was told by the Job Centre that I had to start applying for jobs online. I didn’t have any confidence on the computer and was a bit worried about going to the session. I was so glad I went, I now have a better chance at getting a job because I apply online and the course is accredited.”

“I started a placement through Taff’s Supported Volunteer Project. I hadn’t used a computer for a long time and had never used a computer in a work place. I received one to one support with the IT trainer through the volunteer project, something I could never afford myself. Slowly over the 12 week placement my IT skills improved and I discovered I actually like using the computer and wasn’t using it just because I felt I had to.”

Cardiff County Council also provides the following free training:• Basic IT Skills Training – 2 hours• Basic Guide to Using the Internet – 2 hours• Email and Universal Jobmatch – 2 hours

Contact your local advice Hub or call 029 2087 1000 for more information.

#notjusthousing

Contact usTaff Housing Association, Alexandra House, 307-315 Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff, CF5 1JD

Tel 029 2025 9100 E-mail info@taffhousing.co.uk Website www.taffhousing.co.uk

@TaffHousing /TaffHousing