Applying for benefits

All benefit claims in Tameside start with a claim to Universal Credit  

Apply for Universal Credit https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit

You will need an email address to apply for Universal Credit online.

It is important that you make a claim for Universal Credit as soon as you receive your positive decision from the Home Office. Universal Credit takes around 5 weeks to be processed and paid and will start from the date you make your claim.

After you have made your claim, you will then be contacted by the Job Centre to verify your ID and complete the first stage of your claim.

You can make an initial claim online or over the telephone and will be required to show your Evisa and National Insurance number at a later date. You will be required to input your bank details on the initial claim form. If you live with your partner, you will both need to create accounts. You’ll link them together when you claim. You cannot claim by yourself.

Once your claim has been processed and you qualify for Universal Credit, you can apply for advance payment of your Universal Credit via your online journal, however your future payments will be reduced until this has been paid back.