Universal Credit claims

You can claim for Universal Credit when you turn 18 years old.

If you are eligible for Universal Credit, you will receive your first payment in five week. During this time, you will still receive your maintenance allowance so you don't have to take a Universal Credit Advance (which you would have to repay).

Your Care Experienced Personal Adviser will support you to submit your Universal Credit claim and make sure claims are submitted at the earliest date and are processed quickly by the benefit agency. We have a protocol with the DWP to make sure claims for care experienced young people are processed quickly.

Issues with your claim

The Job Centre Plus offices in Cumbria have named work coaches for Care Experienced Young People who are familiar with the cared for and care experience process and can advise and assist you with any issues you face.

Job Centre Plus work coaches will always try to avoid benefit sanctions (for example where some Universal Credit is stopped) and can work with you and your Personal Advisers to prevent a sanction. However, if a sanction is unavoidable, we will try to make sure you receive support with basic living such as food, heating and travel costs.