The benefit cap

There is a limit on the total amount of benefits that the people in your household can get from a range of benefits including:

• Housing benefit.
• Jobseekers allowance.
• Employment support allowance (unless you get the support component).
• Child benefit.
• Child tax credit.
• Carer's allowance.

If the total comes to more than the maximum amount allowed your housing benefit payments will be reduced. The maximum amount of benefit you are able to receive is:

• £384.62 per week or £20,000 annually for single parents.
• £384.62 per week or £20,000 annually for couples with or without children.
• £257.69 per week or £13,400 annually for single people without children.

It won't apply to you if you get pension credit or working tax credit or a member of your household is claiming disability living allowance, attendance allowance or the support element of employment support allowance.

It can take up to 7 weeks for universal credit to be paid after it has been applied for. You will still be responsible for paying your rent in line with your tenancy agreement. This is why we encourage our tenants to build a small credit on their rent accounts so that they do not fall into arrears once you apply for universal credit. Universal credit will be paid monthly in arrears. If you need any help or advice, please contact [email protected] or call 0800 854568.

Universal Credit will be paid directly into a bank account. A basic bank account may be right for you if:

• You have a poor credit record or you're on a low income.
• You don't need the extra things that a current account offers, for example an overdraft facility.

You will need to provide proof of your identity to open a bank account – the bank or building society will tell you what you need to provide.

We have a Digital Support Worker and a digivan equipped with ipads and computers that you can use to get online. Our benefit and money advisors can also visit you in your home and bring an ipad with them to help you do your application form.

• Your National Insurance number.
• Your postcode.
• Your e-mail address.
• Your phone number (landline or mobile).
• ateb Group's name and address and your eligible rent – you can ask us for this information.
• Details of the account you want your Universal Credit paid into – name and address of the branch, account number and sort code.
• If working, your gross wage (before deductions).
• Details of any savings or capital.
• Your partner's details if they live with you.
• Details of any children/relatives that live with you including their name, date of birth, age and income.
• If you pay for childcare, your childcare provider's details including their registration number.
• If you need help with applying for Universal Credit, our in-house team of Benefits and Money Advisors can provide advice and assistance.