factchecking myths and misconceptions about universal credit
“Claims can only be made online”
“I must have photo ID to start a claim”
“My claim will be closed if I miss my first interview after claiming online”
“There’s no way a claim will be backdated”
“I have to accept my claimant commitment”
“You have to claim universal credit in order to claim new style ESA or new style JSA”Needs busting
“My benefit payment rate, including disability premiums, will be protected if I have to claim universal credit”
“I will have to wait at least 5 weeks after I claim universal credit before I am paid anything”
“Mixed-age couples can no longer choose to claim pension age benefits instead of universal credit”
“No new claims for tax credits are allowed, you have to claim universal credit”Needs busting
“I must spend 35 hours per week looking for work”
“Work-related requirements can’t be switched off”
“If I get work I won’t have to do any more work search”
“The journal will keep records of my claim in case I need them”
“My rent can be paid direct to my landlord each month”
“I will be sanctioned unless I say I will travel for 90 minutes to get work”
“You have to be in receipt of carer’s allowance to get the carer element”
“I can use a screen shot of my online universal credit account as a proof of benefits”
“Universal credit only pays 50 per cent of housing costs for joint tenancies even after one tenant leaves”
“Someone else can’t ring on my behalf to help with my claim”
“If my regular earnings stay the same my monthly universal credit payment will also stay the same”
“I won’t have work-related requirements placed on me if I’m a student”