Universal Credit
You may still be able to claim Universal Credit if you and/or your partner are employed. The amount you can get depends on your circumstances, including your income and how many children you have.
A benefits calculator can help you check if you can get Universal Credit or other benefits.
Help with housing costs
If you were getting Support for Mortgage Interest while you were out of work, you may carry on getting this. This is if you have been getting income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support for at least 26 weeks continuously before starting work. You may then continue to get the following benefits for up to four weeks:
If you're on a low wage and your housing costs are below a certain level, you may continue to get Housing Benefit after this time.
If you are a homeowner and have to reclaim benefit you may not have to wait until you get help again with your mortgage costs. Contact your Jobs and Benefits Office to find out more.
Tax credits
A tax credit is a payment that you receive regularly. Despite the name, it isn't a credit against your tax bill.
If you've got children you could get tax credits, but you don't need to have children to claim. You may also qualify if you are working and on a low income.
If you work and pay childcare you may be able to get extra tax credits to help with the costs.
Travel to Interview Scheme
If you’re unemployed or under written notice of redundancy, the Travel to Interview Scheme may help you with the cost of travelling to job interviews.
Shortened claim process for Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance
If your Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance claim ended less than 26 weeks ago and there has been no change to your circumstances your claim to benefits may be simpler and shorter.
To make a claim for Jobseekers Allowance or Income Support contact your local Jobs and Benefits office.
The following are not considered as a change of circumstances:
- you or someone you are claiming for is now pregnant
- tax credits have been claimed or awarded