Universal Credit and prison leavers
Information for prison leavers, work coaches and probation officers about Universal Credit.
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Information for prison leavers, work coaches and probation officers about Universal Credit.
Updates to this page
Published 4 May 2018Last updated 24 October 2024 + show all updates
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Added that eVisas are an acceptable form of ID for Universal Credit.
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Supporting prison leavers html publication: added Carer Support Payment (Scotland only) to the list of other benefits prison leavers may be able to claim.
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Updated how prison leavers can verify their identity in 'Supporting prison leavers: a guide to Universal Credit'. You can no longer use GOV.UK Verify.
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Replaced Money Advice Service information with links to MoneyHelper.
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If you apply for a Universal Credit advance on or after 12 April 2021, the time you must usually pay back the advance has been extended from 12 to 24 months. The most that can normally be taken from your Universal Credit payment to repay a debt has changed from 30% to 25% of your Universal Credit Standard Allowance.
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From 27 January 2021 you can claim claim New Style JSA if you’re getting Severe Disability Premium (SDP), or if you received SDP in the last month and are still eligible for it.
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Removed the wording 'You will not get a sanction if you cannot keep to your Claimant Commitment because of coronavirus (COVID-19)'.
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Changed the maximum amount of repayment of a Universal Credit advance from 40% to 30% of the claimant's Universal Credit standard allowance.
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Updated guidance on applying for an advance. You can now apply for an advance through your online account, by asking your Jobcentre Plus work coach or by calling the Universal Credit helpline. You will now need to verify your identity at a jobcentre first.
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Updated the ‘Supporting prison leavers: a guide to Universal Credit’ attachments.
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Added a new guide for people supporting prison leavers with their Universal Credit claim.
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Replaced various attachments with text and a print and fold guide.
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Added information about 'Help to Claim'.
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All attachments updated to remove references to Universal Credit full service and Universal Credit live service. Details about new style Jobseeker's Allowance and new style Employment and Support Allowance also added.
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Removed references to Universal Credit full service and live service from the guide 'Universal Credit: guide for prison leavers who don't have a work coach'.
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Universal Credit live service telephone helpline opening hours changed to 9am to 4pm.
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First published.