1. Universal Credit Full Service What to expect.
Jobcentre Plus
Universal Credit Full Service
What to expect.

2. Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly.
You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income or out of work.
Whether you can claim Universal Credit depends on where you live and your circumstances.

3. If you already get benefits
Universal Credit will replace the following benefits:
Child Tax Credit
Housing Benefit
Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Working Tax Credit
If you currently receive any of these benefits, you can’t claim Universal Credit at the same time.
Universal Credit is being introduced in stages across the UK. You don’t need to do anything until you hear from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about moving to Universal Credit, unless you have a change in circumstances.

4. Eligibility
You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.
You can find out if you’re eligible by:
using the Citizens Advice eligibility checker
reading the detailed guidance on eligibility
Use a benefits calculator to check what benefits you could get if you’re not eligible for Universal Credit.

5. Universal Credit Outlets
Bedford Jobcentre now delivers Universal Credit Full Service as of May 2017.
Biggleswade Jobcentre will start delivering Universal Credit Full Service from November 2018.

6. Visiting the Jobcentre for a New JSA Claim What can I expect?
Before you go to your first meeting you will need to:-
Complete an online Jobseekers Allowance Application.
Register on the Universal Jobmatch website.
Write a CV.
Have an account.

7. What happens next? :-
Once you have completed the online application the Job Centre will contact you to arrange your first meeting with your Work Coach.
You will need to bring documents with you to prove who you are and to verify your current position. You will be told over the phone what to bring.

8. Attending your Appointment at the Jobcentre
Your Work Coach will check the online claim. They will check the documents you have been asked to bring, copy them and return the originals to you. You will then sign a statement on an electronic pad.
Your Work Coach will then explain about Jobseekers Allowance.
They will talk to you about the sorts of jobs you can do and what you can do to boost your chances of finding work.
If you have difficulties because you have a mental or physical condition, please tell your Work Coach.
Your Work Coach will check you have an account, have written a CV, and have registered on the Universal Jobmatch site. Your Work Coach will discuss any help you may need to do this.

9. Your Work Coach will then help you create an Action Plan so that you don’t miss out on any training or job opportunities. You will identify and agree on activities and actions together. These will be written into a computer printed document.
This action plan details what you agree to do between appointments in return for receiving money from the government and is called The Claimant Commitment.
You will sign your agreement to this on an electronic pad. This is then printed off for you to keep as a copy.
Having agreed what you are going to do the Work Coach will give you the date and time for the next appointment which you must attend to review your work search progress. These appointments are mandatory and failure to attend may affect your jobseeker allowance payments.

10. This is the standard way Job Seekers Allowance works.
If you can’t access the internet, don’t have an address or have difficulty doing any of these things please contact your local Job centre on who will advise you.

11. Your new JSA claim – What happens at a glance
Before first appointment : Compete online JSA application Register with Universal Job Match Write a CV Get an address Collect up all documents I need At first appointment: Check and agree JSA application Check and copy documents Check CV and Universal Job Match Claimant Commitment: Create Action Plan to find work Agree Action Plan Sign Claimant Commitment Future Appointments: Agreed with Work Coach Part of Commitment Review progress on Action Plan.

12. Work and Health Programme
The Work and Health Programme helps you find and keep a job if you’re out of work.
It’s voluntary - unless you’ve been out of work and claiming unemployment benefits for 24 months.

13. Eligibility
You could be eligible if you live in England or Wales and you’re:
disabled
out of work and have claimed unemployment benefits for 24 months
a carer or former carer
homeless
a former member of the armed forces or an armed forces reservist
the partner of a current or former member of the armed forces
a care leaver
a young person in a gang
a refugee
a victim of domestic violence
dependent (or have been dependent) on drugs or alcohol and it’s preventing you from getting work
an ex-offender and you’ve completed a custodial or community sentence
an offender serving a community sentence
You don’t have to be getting benefits to apply.

14. What you’ll get You’ll get personal support to help you:
identify your employment needs
match your skills to work that’s available
put you in touch with employers
find long-term employment
get training to help you find work
manage health problems to reduce their impact on work

15. How to apply
If you don’t have a work coach, go to your local Jobcentre Plus and ask to speak to a work coach about the Work and Health Programme.

16. Freephone Numbers Benefit Enquiry Line = 0800 169 0310
Jobcentre Enquiry Line =
Social Fund Enquiries =
Universal Credit Enquiries =
P.I.P. Enquiries =
D.L.A. Adult & Child =
Housing Benefit (if not in receipt of Universal Credit) = – Local rate