Benefits have changed

The benefits system has undergone a major change with the introduction of Universal Credit.

This information is about the benefits that have been replaced by Universal Credit, when they will stop and how that will affect you. 

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What benefits have changed?

There have been a number of changes to the UK benefits system.

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Conditionality and sanctions

Changes to Universal Credit in-work conditionality requires people who are claiming and not working enough hours or earning under the new threshold to look for more or better paid work or face sanctions.

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What is universal credit?

Universal credit is a benefit that has gradually been introduced across the UK.

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Moving to Universal Credit

If you are getting one of the benefits being replaced by Universal Credit you will be sent a letter ‘inviting’ you to claim Universal Credit instead.

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Tax credits

No new claims can be made for this benefit. If you are getting tax credits at the moment you will continue to do so until your circumstances change or you are invited to claim Universal Credit instead.

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Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and new style Jobseeker’s Allowance

No new claims can be made for this benefit. If you are getting income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance at the moment you will continue to do so until your circumstances change or you are invited to claim Universal Credit instead.

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Income Support

If you are getting Income Support at the moment you will continue to do so until your circumstances change or you are invited to claim Universal Credit instead.

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Income-related Employment and Support Allowance and new style Employment and Support Allowance

No new claims can be made for this benefit. If you are getting income-related Employment and Support Allowance at the moment you will continue to do so until your circumstances change or you are invited to claim Universal Credit instead.

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Housing Benefit

No new claims can be made for this benefit. If you are getting Housing Benefit at the moment you will continue to do so until your circumstances change or you are invited to claim Universal Credit instead.

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Useful contacts

The Lone Parent Helpline provides support and advice on anything from dealing with a break-up, moving into work or sorting out child maintenance, benefits or tax credit issues.

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Covering your tracks

You may not want other people to know that you’ve been searching for information or help from OPFS.

When browsing the internet whether on a mobile phone, tablet or computer, you leave a ‘history’ trail of pages and sites you’ve visited.

It’s impossible to completely avoid being tracked online but if you’re worried about someone knowing which sites you’ve been looking at, there are some things you can do to help cover your tracks.

If you’re using a laptop or desktop computer, try keeping another document or website open in a new tab or window while browsing. If someone comes in the room and you don’t want them to see what you’re looking at, you can quickly switch to another window or tab.

Deleting browsing history

You can delete the history of websites you’ve visited, but it’s important to know that if you delete your browsing history, someone else using the same device may notice.

If you share a tablet, mobile phone, laptop or computer with someone, they might notice that passwords or website addresses have disappeared from their history.

Find out how to remove your browsing history and other data from some of the most commonly used browsers:

Browsing in Private mode (incognito)

When browsing ‘incognito’, the internet browser won’t store cookies or record your browsing history on the computer, mobile or tablet.

This option is available on popular web browsers i.e. -

Toolbars

If you use a search toolbar in your web browser, remember that your searched items can be saved as part of your history. Find out how to delete your searched items from the following search engines: