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Benefits and other financial support

Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and other financial support you may be entitled to.

Universal Credit has replaced Housing Benefit for most working-age claimants. This means if you need help with your rent and you are below pensionable age you will now need to claim Universal Credit instead of Housing Benefit.

There are some exceptions to this – please visit the GOV.UK website to find out if you need to claim Universal Credit instead of Housing Benefit.

Universal Credit is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and not St Albans City & District Council.

Moving to Universal Credit.  

If you are of working age and in receipt of certain benefits such as Tax Credits or Housing Benefit, over the next few months you may receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) inviting you to apply for Universal Credit. 

Universal Credit is replacing a number of existing benefits and if you receive a letter from the DWP, it is very important you read it carefully as you will need to apply for Universal Credit by a certain date. If you don’t make an application by this date, your existing benefits will stop. 

If you need help to make an application, the letter will give details of where you can get assistance. Moving to Universal Credit is nothing to be worried about and some residents might find they receive more financial support via Universal Credit. 

 

Help paying your rent or Council Tax

Changes in circumstances

Appealing a benefit decision

Council Tax Support

Discretionary Housing Payments

Universal Credit

Landlord Portal

Reviewing Your Benefit Claim

Unemployment Advice

Benefit Fraud

Your Benefit Letters Explained

Benefits news

St Albans City and District Council sign

Financial help to be given to vulnerable people

Low income and vulnerable residents in St Albans District may be entitled to free supermarket and energy vouchers to help with cost-of-living increases.