•Universal credit (UC) is a benefit for people on a low income who are in or out of work.

•UC replaces income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit.

•UC has been introduced nationwide for most new claimants.

•UC is a means-tested benefit.

•You do not have to have paid national insurance contributions to qualify.

•UC can be paid in addition to non-means-tested benefits, but some of these are taken into account as income when calculating your UC.

•A benefit cap may be applied if the total amount of certain benefits you receive exceeds a specified amount, and your UC can be reduced.

•UC is administered and paid by the DWP.

•If you disagree with a UC decision, you can apply for a revision or supersession (see Chapter 56), or appeal against it (see Chapter 57). You must apply for a mandatory reconsideration before you can appeal.