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Home For tenants Rent and money Benefits and money Money and benefits advice line Universal Credit - what you need to know What is Universal Credit

What is Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a benefit to help pay your living expenses and/or housing costs. Universal Credit replaces the following means-tested benefits for working age people.

Income support
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Child tax credit
Working tax credit
Housing benefit

These are commonly referred to as 'legacy benefits'. If you are currently receiving a legacy benefit, you cannot claim Universal Credit at the same time.

You can watch a video about Universal Credit by clicking here.

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© 2026 Octavia.

Octavia is a trading name of Abri Group Limited (AGL), a charitable community benefit society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (register no. 8537). Registered with the Regulator of Social Housing (register no. L4172). Registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide regulated activities.

The Swaythling Housing Society Limited is a subsidiary of AGL and is a registered society under the under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (register no 10237R). Registered with the Regulator of Social Housing (register no. L0689) and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Swaythling Housing Society Limited provides management services for subsidiaries in the Abri group.

Registered office: Collins House, Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 6AD. Further corporate information is available at www.abri.co.uk