THE Government has confirmed a major change to Universal Credit this week.
Those on the can no longer use payslips and P60s to verify their identity online.
is paid to those who are not currently in work or to top up the income of low earners.
But you have to verify your identity first before you can start receiving payments.
The requires this so it can link the right person to the claim and reduce the chances of identity .
As of April 8, you can now only very your identity online with a passport, Self Assessment tax return or a credit reference.
You have to provide two out these three pieces of information to verify your identity online.
If you can't verify your identity online, there are other ways to do it, including face-to-face appointments and biographical interviews.
If your appointment is face-to-face at a Jobcentre Plus, you have to take a valid ID and proof of address with you.
The full list of valid IDs and proof of addresses you can take can be found via www.gov.uk/jobcentre-plus-interview.
Included in the list of valid IDs is a passport, drivers licence, NHS identity card and armed forces or identity card.
Included in the list of valid proof of addresses is a current statement, council rent card or tenancy agreement or mortgage statement.
A biographical interview is usually held over the phone and involves a quick ID check.
Flying Eze asked HMRC to comment.
UNIVERSAL CREDIT PAYMENTS RISE
The change to the online verification process comes as Universal Credit payments .
The vast majority of benefits usually rise in line with each year to keep up with the .
Universal Credit payments have risen by 1.7%, but of course how much yours will have risen by varies depending on your personal circumstances and which elements you receive.
This is how much payments have gone up by:
Standard allowance (per month)
- For those single and aged under 25, the standard allowance will rise from £311.68 to£316.98
- For those single and aged 25 or over, the standard allowance will rise from £393.45 to£400.14
- For joint claimants both under 25, the standard allowance will rise from £489.23 to£497.55
- For joint claimants where one or both are 25 or over, the standard allowance will rise from £617.60 to£628.10
Extra amounts for children
- For those with a first child born before April 6, 2017, the extra amount will go up from £333.33 to£339
- For those with a child born on or after April 6, 2017 or second child and subsequent child, the extra amount will go up from £287.92 to£292.81
- For those with a disabled child, the lower rate addition payment will rise from £156.11 to£158.76and the higher rate from £487.58 to£495.87.
Extra amounts for limited capability for work
- For those deemed to have limited capability for work, the extra amount will go up from £156.11 to£158.76
- For those deemed to have limited capability for work or work-related activity, the extra amount will go up from £416.19 to£423.27
Extra amounts for being a carer
claimants can get an additional amount if caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week.
The amount you get a month will rise from £198.31 to £201.68
The will also rise.
Increased work allowance
- The higher work allowance (no housing amount) for someone claiming Universal Credit with one or more dependent children or limited capability for work will rise from £673 to£684
- The lower work allowance for someone claiming Universal Credit with one or more dependent children or limited capability for work will rise from £404 to£411
It's worth bearing in mind, despite Universal Credit payments having risen this week, .
This is because Universal Credit is paid in arrears based on your last “assessment period”.
Those whose assessmentperiodsstarted before April 7 will see their benefits rise in May.
However, anyone whose assessment period started after this date won't get the increased 2025/26 rate until June.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
