Payments are currently suspended.
As a precautionary measure, we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend our online payment system while we investigate an issue with our supplier. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Universal Credit support in Newcastle
Universal Credit support in Newcastle
Help with a better off comparison
Help with your online UC claim
Help with managing your UC claim
Further advice and support you may need when you claim UC
Help with how to use computers and the internet
Help with a better off comparison
Those on 'legacy benefits' need to know now if they will be better off or worse off on Universal Credit. See our move to Universal Credit page for more details
Self-help calculators help you compare your legacy benefits with Universal Credit but that is only a financial comparison
The following services can help you decide if you would be better-off or worse-off on UC by carrying out a better off calculation and advising on the implications of a move to Universal Credit
(their full details are in the Where to Get Advice in Newcastle document on the benefits advice services page):
Welfare Right Service
Phone 0191 277 2627 (09.30 - 12) and see their drop-in sessions on the benefits advice services page (in the Where to Get Advice document)
Help to Claim by Citizens Advice
Phone 0800 144 8 444 (8am - 6pm)
Citizens Advice Newcastle
Phone 0808 278 7823, Drop in at the City Library (Monday - Friday 10am - 12pm)
Citizens Advice Newcastle Website
Caring Hands Charity
Phone 0191 261 5234 or email:contact@caringhandscharity.org.uk
The Welfare Benefits Advice service is available to people who live in Ouseburn Ward and South Heaton Ward of Newcastle upon Tyne
Age UK Gateshead in Newcastle
Phone 0191 4773559 or email: advice@ageukgateshead.org.uk
For people aged 50 and over
Karbon Homes
Email:moneymatters@karbonhomes.co.uk
For Karbon Homes tenants. Website: Karbon Homes
North East Law Centre
Phone 0191 230 4777 or email: reception@nelawcentre.co.uk
Turn2us
Phone 0808 802 2000 (9-5.30pm) or visit the webpage
Your Homes Newcastle (YHN)
Phone 0191 278 8600 or email yhn@yhn.rog.uk
For YHN tenants. Website: Your Homes Newcastle
Byker Community Trust (BCT)
Phone 0800 533 5442, email welfare@bykerct.co.uk or visit the BCT reception (Monday-Thursday 9am to 5pm, and Friday 9am to 4:30pm)
For BCT tenants
Home Group
Phone 0345 141 4663, or go to https://www.homegroup.org.uk/get-in-touch/ (e.g. live chat and online contact form), or email: contactus@homegroup.org.uk
For Home Group tenants only
Disability North
Phone 0191 2840480 or email reception@disabilitynorth.org.uk
The Hub Welfare Rights and Advice service
Phone 07547 393 191, email hubprojectadvice@gmail.com or drop in every Tuesday from 3.30 - 5.30 at Westgate Baptist Church, 366 West Road, NE4 6NX
This service is only for asylum seekers, refugees, and other migrants
Website: The Hub Welfare Rights and Advice service
Help with your online UC claim
Universal Credit claims should be made online on the Government’s website: Universal Credit: How to claim - GOV.UK
Help at the Jobcentre
Jobcentres have computers and Wi-Fi access which you can use to make a claim.
You can get face to face help to make claims from the two Jobcentre Plus offices in Newcastle:
Newcastle City Newcastle East
1 Cathedral Square Coquet House
Mosley Street Clifford Street
Newcastle upon Tyne Byker
NE1 1EE Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 1PH
Information you will need to make a claim
You’ll also need this information for other people you live with. Without this information, you may not get a payment. Some of it can be discussed in your interview which is set up a few days after your claim:
- Your email address and phone number (to start your account)
- Your postcode
- Your National Insurance number (if you have one) and your nationality
- Your rent agreement (if you have one) or mortgage details
- Details of your savings or other capital
- Details about your work and earnings
- Details of any income that is not from work, e.g. from an insurance plan
- Details of any other benefits you are getting
- Details of any education or training
- Details of your children, including their Child Benefit numbers
- Information about the health or disabilities of you or family members (this may increase your Universal Credit)
- Details of the bank, building society or credit union account you want Universal Credit to be paid into (including account name, sort code and account number)
If you can’t access the above or need support to complete the online Universal Credit claim, here are some services that may be able to help:
Universal Credit Helpline and webpage
Phone the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644
This government website page is for those who have accessibility needs and need support with:
- using the phone (advice on Relay UK, textphone, Video Relay Service for deaf people who use British Sign Language and alternatives to the phone, including home visits)
- using a computer
- reading letters or filling in forms
- attending face-to-face meetings
- managing your own affairs
Citizens Advice's 'Help to Claim' service
Citizens Advice's 'Help to Claim' service can assist you in making a claim.
It is available between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
- Phone free: 0800 144 8 444
- Relay UK if you can't hear or speak on the phone: 18001 then 0800 144 4 444
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- Webchat advice
Ask for a translator if you need to get advice in a different language.
Details: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/helptoclaim
Home visits by the DWP
In limited circumstances, the DWP may agree to visit you in your home. The details are on this government webpage Support visits if you need help to claim benefits
More detail on home visits and vulnerable and complex needs from papers deposited in the House of Commons library:
Home visits: https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2022-0860/071._Home_visits_V12.0.pdf
Complex needs: https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2022-0860/039._Complex_needs_overview_V18.0.pdf
Links to these and more on Rightsnet. About Deposited Papers - UK Parliament
For Your Homes Newcastle tenants
YHN’s Financial Inclusion Officers or Support and Progression Workers can help you claim UC. Get in touch by completing a form or calling 0191 278 8600. More details can be found on www.yhn.org.uk/services-customers/money-advice
Newcastle City Council UC claim support
We provide a face-to-face service to support residents to make Universal Credit claims online and those who already have claims but need help to manage their online Universal Credit accounts.
Existing Universal Credit claimants need to have their login details to access their accounts.
To access this support call 07970 632 851 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm).
Appointments are held across the city on the days and times below. Please call in advance to arrange an appointment. Please note that our advisor is unable to offer benefit advice.
Mondays |
East End Library and Community Hub, 83 Shields Road, Newcastle. 10.00am - 12.00noon and 1.00pm - 3.00pm |
Tuesdays |
Cruddas Park Library, Cruddas Park Shopping Centre, Westmorland Road, NE4 7QY. 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm |
Wednesdays |
City Library, City Centre. 10.00am - 12.00pm & 1.00pm - 3.00pm |
Thursdays |
Outer West Community Hub, West Denton Way West Denton 10.00am -12.00pm & 1.00pm -3.00pm |
Fridays |
West End Library and Community Hub. Condercum Road,, NE4 9JH. 10.00am - 12.00pm and 1.00pm - 3.00pm |
Newcastle City Council's Welfare Right Service
Phone 0191 277 2627 (09.30 - 12) and see their drop-in sessions on the benefits advice services page (in the Where to Get Advice document)
Caring Hands Charity
Phone 0191 261 5234 or email:contact@caringhandscharity.org.uk
The Welfare Benefits Advice service is available to people who live in Ouseburn Ward and South Heaton Ward of Newcastle upon Tyne
North East Law Centre
Phone 0191 230 4777 or email: reception@nelawcentre.co.uk
Byker Community Trust (BCT)
Phone 0800 533 5442, email: welfare@bykerct.co.uk or visit the BCT reception (Monday-Thursday 9am to 5pm, and Friday 9am to 4:30pm)
Must be a BCT tenant
Home Group
Phone 0345 141 4663, or go to https://www.homegroup.org.uk/get-in-touch/ (e.g. live chat and online contact form), or email: contactus@homegroup.org.uk
For Home Group tenants only
Disability North
Phone 0191 2840480 or email: reception@disabilitynorth.org.uk
The Hub Welfare Rights and Advice service
Phone 07547 393 191, email hubprojectadvice@gmail.com or drop in every Tuesday from 3.30 - 5.30 at Westgate Baptist Church, 366 West Road NE4 6NX
This service is only for asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants
North of England Refugee Service
Phone 0191 2457301 or email: newcastle@refugee.org.uk
The service provides information, confidential advice and support on matters relating to asylum seekers and refugees
Search
Phone 0191 273 7443 or email info@searchnewcastle.org.uk
For people 50+ in and live in West End of Newcastle
Streetwise
Phone 0191 2305533 or email admin@streetwisenorth.org.uk
Advice and support around debt, money management and benefits for young people aged 18 – 25 years who live, work or access education/training within the Newcastle area.
More details on how to claim on www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/making-a-claim/how-to-claim/
Help with managing your UC claim
The below services are able to provide longer term support to help you manage your UC claim.
Newcastle City Council UC claim support
We provide a face-to-face service to support residents to make Universal Credit claims online and those who already have claims but need help to manage their online Universal Credit accounts.
Existing Universal Credit claimants need to have their login details to access their accounts.
To access this support call 07970 632 851 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm).
Appointments are held across the city on the days and times below. Please call in advance to arrange an appointment.
Mondays |
East End Library & Community Hub, 83 Shields Road, NE6 1DL. 10.00am -12.00pm & 1.00pm - 3.00pm |
Tuesdays |
Cruddas Park Library, Cruddas Park Shopping Centre, Westmorland Road, NE4 7QY. 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm |
Wednesdays |
City Library, City Centre. NE1 8AX , 10.00am – 12.00pm & 1.00pm – 3.00pm |
Thursdays |
Outer West Library & Community Hub, West Denton Way NE5 2QZ . 10.00am -12.00pm & 1.00pm -3.00pm |
Fridays |
West End Library & Community Hub, Condercum Road, NE4 9JH. 10.00am - 12.00pm 1.00pm - 3.00pm |
Please note that our advisor is unable to offer benefit advice.
Newcastle City Council's Welfare Right Service
Phone 0191 277 2627 (09.30 - 12) and see their drop-in sessions on the benefits advice services page (in the Where to Get Advice document)
Newcastle City Council’s Private Rented Service
Phone 0191 277 1438 (9am and 12) or email privaterentedservice@newcastle.gov.uk,
This service is for private rented tenants who live in Newcastle. More information can be found at www.privaterentedservice@newcastle.gov.uk
Your Homes Newcastle tenants
YHN’s Financial Inclusion Officers or Support and Progression Workers can help you claim UC. Get in touch by completing a form or calling 0191 278 8600. More details can be found on www.yhn.org.uk/services-customers/money-advice
Caring Hands Charity
Phone 0191 261 5234 or email:contact@caringhandscharity.org.uk
The Welfare Benefits Advice service is available to people who live in Ouseburn Ward and South Heaton Ward of Newcastle upon Tyne
North East Law Centre
Phone 0191 230 4777 or email: reception@nelawcentre.co.uk
Byker Community Trust (BCT)
Phone 0800 533 5442, email: welfare@bykerct.co.uk or visit the BCT reception (Monday-Thursday 9am to 5pm, and Friday 9am to 4:30pm)
Must be a BCT tenant
Home Group
Phone 0345 141 4663, or go to https://www.homegroup.org.uk/get-in-touch/ (e.g. live chat and online contact form), or email: contactus@homegroup.org.uk
For Home Group tenants only
Disability North
Phone 0191 2840480 or email: reception@disabilitynorth.org.uk
The Hub Welfare Rights and Advice service
Phone 07547 393 191, email hubprojectadvice@gmail.com or drop in every Tuesday from 3.30 - 5.30 at Westgate Baptist Church, 366 West Road NE4 6NX
This service is only for asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants
North of England Refugee Service
Phone 0191 2457301 or email: newcastle@refugee.org.uk
The service provides information, confidential advice and support on matters relating to asylum seekers and refugees
Search
Phone 0191 273 7443 or email info@searchnewcastle.org.uk
For people 50+ in and live in West End of Newcastle
Streetwise
Phone 0191 2305533 or email admin@streetwisenorth.org.uk
Advice and support around debt, money management and benefits for young people aged 18 – 25 years who live, work or access education/training within the Newcastle area.
Further advice and support you may need when you claim UC
Verifying your identity
When you claim UC, you will also have to verify your identity. You can do this online at www.gov.uk/verify, which has been expanded to include the Government Gateway. If you can’t do this, phone the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
Paying your rent
When you claim UC, the Housing Element (that replaces Housing Benefit) will be paid to you rather than your landlord. In some circumstances you also can request a temporary Alternative Payment Arrangement where the Housing Element is paid directly to your landlord.
Struggling to pay you rent
If you are finding it difficult to pay your rent, you can apply for additional help through the Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) scheme. For more information and to make an application visit our webpage: Housing Benefit - Help to pay your rent | Newcastle City Council
Council Tax
Universal Credit does not include help with your Council Tax bill
Instead, you need to claim Council Tax Reduction directly from Newcastle City Council. You can do this online at www.newcastle.gov.uk/counciltaxsupport
More information about Universal Credit
Is available online at www.newcastle.gov.uk/universalcredit
Cost of living
If you’re struggling with the cost of living visit our webpage Cost of living support | Newcastle City Council for information about the help and support available across the city.
Charities
Turn2Us and Charity Choice provide search tools for help with one-off or regular payments. Charis administers trust funds on behalf of several energy companies
Free school meals
Our free school meals webpage has information on eligibility and how to apply for free school meals.
Foodbanks
Details of local foodbank and free emergency food
Crisis Support Scheme
If you need food, clothing, fuel for heating or expenses for emergency travel to cover a short term period of crisis or disaster, the Crisis Support Scheme can help.
Loan Sharks
If you wish to report a business or person that you suspect may be carrying out an illegal activity, such as a loan shark, please contact our Trading Standards Service. For more information on support available for those affected by loan sharks visit www.stoploansharks.co.uk
If you would like to give us feedback on our website, please complete this short online form.