Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a part of the government’s welfare reform changes. Universal Credit will eventually replace the following existing benefits and tax credits, which will instead be paid to you in a single monthly payment:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Universal Credit has been rolled out to all new claimants in Dover.
This means that if you live in the Dover District, you can't make a new claim for Housing Benefit unless you:
- have reached State Pension age
- are in exempt accommodation (you will need to claim Universal Credit but you may also get some help from Dover District Council)
- are in temporary accommodation placed by our Housing Options team.
If you don’t fall into one of these categories, you need to make a claim for housing costs through Universal Credit.
If you do fall into one of these categories, please complete a Housing Benefit claim form.
Assisted digital support
Universal Credit claims must be made online. If you don't have access to the internet or need help with making a claim for Universal Credit, please contact your local Citizens Advice. If you are able to make the claim online, then please do so as delays in applying may affect your entitlement.
Council Tax Support
If you make a claim for Universal Credit with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), please also make a claim for Council Tax Support. The DWP will let us know that you have claimed Universal Credit and we can then treat that as your claim date for Council Tax Support, as long as you send us any other information we need within one calendar month of us writing to you.
If you have a Universal Credit claim
Once you are claiming Universal Credit, you will stay on Universal Credit, even if your circumstances change or you move into or out of our area.
It's important that once you've made your claim for Universal Credit, you check your journal regularly. Please provide any information requested as quickly as possible to help avoid your payments being delayed or your claim being cancelled.
You can contact the Universal Credit Full Service Centre by phoning 0800 328 5644.
If you need to send post to Universal Credit Full Service, there are two addresses that you need to be aware of:
Signed delivery and recorded delivery must be addressed to:
UCFS Post, Canterbury BC
Nutwood House
Chaucer Road
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 1 ZZ
All other post must be addressed to: Freepost DWP UNIVERSAL CREDIT FULL SERVICE
If mail is not addressed correctly there is a risk the post will be sent to the wrong place which could result in delays to claims being processed and paid.
Your local Jobcentre can photocopy and verify your evidence if you don’t want to send your originals in the post.
The following organisations can help you get online
Dover Library
Dover Discovery Centre, Market Square, Dover, Kent, CT16 1PH
Phone: 03000 413131
Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 6pm
Wednesday 9am to 8pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Closed Sunday
Support available: If support is required please contact the library in advance to check availability
Deal Library
Broad Street, Deal, Kent, CT14 6ER
Phone: 03000 413131
Open: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm,
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday 10am to 4pm
Support available: If support is required please contact the library in advance to check availability
Aylesham Library
Aylesham Community Centre, Acholt Road, Aylesham, Kent, CT3 3AJ
Phone: 01304 861200
Open: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:30am to 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am to 1pm
Saturday 10am to 2pm
Closed Monday and Sunday
Support available: If support is required please contact the library in advance to check availability
Sandwich Library
13 Market Street, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9DA
Phone: 03000 413131
Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 6pm
Saturday 10am to 2pm
Closed Wednesday and Sunday
Support available: If support is required please contact the library in advance to check availability