New Universal Credit phone numbers
Following the outcry over charges for calling the Universal Credit customer information numbers, the Government’s promised Free phone numbers have now been introduced.
Initially, Free phone numbers have been introduced for Universal Credit service lines. Numbers relating to other benefits will be introduced over the next few months.
Here at some of the numbers in service so far:
|
Service Line |
Current 0345 Number |
New free phone number |
|
UC Live Service |
0345 600 0723 |
0800 328 9344 |
|
UC Full Service |
0345 600 4272 |
0800 328 5644 |
|
UC Housing Line |
0345 266 0041 |
0800 328 3844 |
|
UC Sanctions Line |
0345 600 3081 |
0800 328 9744 |
|
UC Live to Full Service Trans- fers |
0345 606 9970 |
0800 328 7844 |
|
UC/WA Welsh Line |
0345 600 3018 |
0800 328 1744 |
|
UC Text phone |
0345 600 0743 |
0800 328 1344 |
|
Performance Measurement |
0345 266 1232 |
0800 328 2144 |
|
Payment Services – Creditors/ landlords |
0345 600 2859 |
0800 328 0128 |
|
Payment Services – Customer contact |
0345 600 2865 |
0800 328 0172 |
Additionally, changes have been announced in the Budget relating to Universal Credit.
These mean that:
- From January 2018, households that qualify for Universal Credit will be able to access one month’s worth of support within five days, via an interest free advance that can be repaid over 12 months.
- It easier for claimants in the private rented sector to continue having their housing costs paid directly to landlords once they are on Universal Credit.
- From February 2018, claimants will also be eligible for Universal Credit from the day they apply, rather than after seven days.
- From April 2018, Housing Benefit will continue to be paid for two weeks after a Universal Credit claim is made.