What changes in circumstance trigger a claim for Universal Credit?

The tables below gives examples of changes in circumstances that would mean a claim for Universal Credit or in some cases remaining on your existing legacy benefits.

Changes in circumstance

Change in employment status

Change in circumstances	What would happen before Universal Credit?	What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area?
On Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support or Income-related Employment Support Allowance	Claim Working Tax Credit	Claim Universal Credit
On legacy benefit such as Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit and start work but not enough hours to satisfy Working Tax Credit	'Legacy benefits' adjusted	Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off
On Working Tax Credit and hours fall below 16	Claim Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance	Claim Universal Credit
On Income-related Employment and Support Allowance doing permitted work and work becomes permanent, hours increase over 16 or other reason for not satisfying permitted work rules	Potential Working Tax Credit claim	Claim Universal Credit
On Child Tax Credit only and start work to satisfy Working Tax Credit rules	Claim Working Tax Credit	Remain on Child Tax Credit and claim Working Tax Credit
On Working Tax Credit and increase hours	Stay on Working Tax Credit	Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off
On Working Tax Credit and become sick	Claim Income-related Employment and Support Allowance	Claim Universal Credit

Change in family circumstances

Change in circumstances	What would happen before Universal Credit?	What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area?
On Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Housing Benefit and household becomes responsible for a first child	Claim Child Tax Credit	Claim Universal Credit
On Working Tax Credit only and household becomes responsible for a first child	Remain on Tax Credit and claim Child Tax Credit	Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off
Lone parent on Income Support and youngest child turns 5 years old	Unless there is another reason to stay on Income Support, claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance	Unless there is another reason to stay on Income Support, claim Universal Credit
On Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and baby due within 11 weeks	Claim Income Support	Claim Universal Credit

Partner leaving/joining household (if it means a new claim to a legacy benefit, claim UC)

Change in circumstances	What would happen before Universal Credit?	What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area?
Couple on Tax Credits separate	Make separate claim for 'legacy benefits'	Both claim Universal Credit as single people
Lone parent on Income Support and Child Tax Credit becomes a couple	Claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance and make new Tax Credit claim as a couple	Claim Universal Credit as a couple
Couple on Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance with child under 5 become lone parents	Claim Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance	Both claim Universal Credit as single people
Single person under pension age on 'legacy benefits' becomes a couple with person of Pension Credit qualifying age	Claim Pension Credit until Universal Credit is fully rolled out across the country	Claim Universal Credit when fully rolled out

Carers

Change in circumstances	What would happen before Universal Credit?	What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area?
Satisfies Carer's Allowance rules which means a new 'legacy benefit' claim	Claim the relevant 'legacy benefits'	Claim Universal Credit
Carer on Income Support stops being a carer	Unless there is a reason to stay on Income Support, claim Jobseeker's Allowance	Claim Universal Credit

Tax Credits

Change in circumstances	What would happen before Universal Credit?	What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area?
Tax Credit renewal	Remain on Tax Credit	Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off
On Tax Credit and change does not lead to a claim for a new 'legacy benefit' for example less income	Remain on Tax Credit	Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off

Sickness

Change in circumstances	What would happen before Universal Credit?	What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area?
On Income-related Employment Support Allowance and fails Work Capability Assessment	Claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance	Claim Universal Credit. If you challenge Work Capability Assessment and win, remain on Universal Credit
On Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and become sick	Claim Income-related Employment and Support Allowance	Claim Universal Credit

Moving area and taking up a tenancy

Change in circumstances	What would happen before Universal Credit?	What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area?
Housing Benefit claimant moves into Southampton from another local authority	New claim for Housing Benefit	Claim Universal Credit
Housing Benefit claimant moves into Southampton from the same local authority	Remain on Housing Benefit	Choice - remain on adjusted 'legacy benefit' or claim Universal Credit if you will be better off
On Tax Credit, Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and take up a new tenancy for the first time	Claim Housing Benefit	Claim Universal Credit

Other

Change in circumstances	What would happen before Universal Credit?	What happens in Southampton Universal Credit area?
On Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and attends court or jury service	Claim Income Support	Claim Universal Credit
On Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and remanded in custody	Claim Income Support	Claim Universal Credit
On Income Support and cease full time education	Claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance	Claim Universal Credit
Income and/or capital goes over different threshold	Claim 'legacy benefit' (depending on income/capital rules)	Claim Universal Credit (depending on income/capital rules)
On Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance and believed to be entitled to Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance	Claim Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance	Claim Universal Credit (treated as a new claim)